Does God Exist?: A Socratic Dialogue on the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas

by Matt Fradd, Robert A. Delfino

If you want an easy and fun way to understand St. Thomas Aquinas's five arguments for the existence of God, this book is for you. Written as dialogue between Lucy and AJ in a coffee shop, these arguments are presented by Fradd and Delfino in every day language, with helpful examples and analogies, and by raising and answering objections along the way. Additional resources at the end of the book will deepen your understanding of the material, help you to grow in wisdom, and strengthen your faith.

Genres: Philosophy, Catholic, Theology, Religion, Faith, Christianity, Christian

162 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2018

About the author

Matthew Fradd is Australian by birth and Catholic by choice. After experiencing a profound conversion at World Youth Day in Rome in 2000, Matthew committed himself to inviting others to know Jesus Christ and the Church He founded. As a missionary in Canada and Ireland, Matthew proclaimed the Gospel to over ten thousand teens and young adults. Matthew has also served the Church through full-time lay ministry in Australia,Ireland, Canada, and Texas. Matthew has been seen or heard on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, where he has shared his personal story of sin, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.

Recently, Matthew, his fearless Texan wife, and their three beautiful children (Liam, Avila, and baby on the way) moved to sunny San Diego where Matthew now works as an Apologist and Speaker with Catholic Answers. Matthew best demonstrates his infectious passion for the faith when he speaks about the many wounds that pornography inflicts, the healing that Christ offers in the Sacraments, and the freedom that the Church proposes in Her teachings on the virtue of chastity.

In recent years, Matthew has confronted our pornographic culture and has launched the website www.theporneffect.com. With patient understanding and yet with firm resolve, Matthew has pointed those who are addicted to or who have been wounded by pornography to the only source of true freedom and lasting healing: Jesus Christ and the Sacraments.

Matthew Fradd has been heard or seen on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, and he continues to share his personal story of addiction, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.

Reviews

[Jacob Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is serves as a solid introduction to the Five Ways of St. Thomas Aquinas. I'm not a philosopher or had any real training in philosophy, so rereading each proof and researching other ways of understanding each proof was a must for me. Because this was my first real undertaking into understanding philosophy, the book has opened up an entirely new way of thinking about who God is for me, and that's incredibly exciting. Aquinas gives us today new, but actually very old ways, of understanding who God is, or has Aquinas often expressed, Being Itself. I'll leave you with this quote towards the end that encompasses the importance of working to understand God in these ways.

"So, love is the reason, but not the cause, why God creates. To love is to will something good towards that person. And in giving us existence, life, and intelligence, God has given human beings good things-- wonderful things. It is only by existence that we can enjoy the beauty of a sunset, the company of a friend, the laughter of a young child, and falling in love with another person. Thus, it is only by existence that we can participate in the goodness of being, which is to participate, in our own limited way, in God's wondrous life." Amen

[Duncan Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Socratic dialogue format really added a lot to the reading, and helps the reader in understanding the positions being posed. It is always useful to have objections explicitly told and refuted in the main argument. Heck, the dialogue even seems to end on a potential romance between atheist and Christian...

Overall this is an excellent primer on the theology of Thomas Aquinas, with a great follow-up list of books to read. Seems pretty full-proof to me, mostly because Matt Fradd does an excellent job of explaining the arguments in a succinct and clear manner. I highly enjoy his Pints With Aquinas podcast as well.

[SweetAileen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hope God exists so he can punish for this dialogue


Lucy: Wow! You're looking chipper this morning.
AJ: Need Coffeeeeeee!
Lucy: Haha. I'll be waiting for you.
***
AJ: Business idea, Lucy.
Lucy: What's that?
AJ: A coffee shop where you get to hook up to an IV of coffee until reality becomes bearable.

[Reese Bordelon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read a small snippet and that was enough.

I don’t trust men who talk about coffee the same way as live, laugh, love moms do.

[The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was exposed to the five ways of Thomas Aquinas in high school and then again in university. But in both cases, I was given simplified versions of the arguments, probably because they did not want us to get frustrated. (In university, these simplified versions were then "straw-manned.") But, in "Does God Exist: A Socratic Dialogue on the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas," Matt Fradd and Robert Delfino give us the full picture, minus as much frustration as possible. That doesn't mean it will be easy. You may still have to read the same chapter several times. But everything is laid out for you in the best possible way. And that is a major accomplishment in itself.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea, exploring Thomas Aquinas in Socratic dialogue form, but it was very short. I read it in a single sitting, basically. For Thomas Aquinas stuff, I think it's better to focus on more in-depth books such as from Brian Davies, Ed Feser, etc.

[Josh Muhlenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book because I decided to contribute to Matt Fradd (one of the two co-authors) on Patreon, because I really enjoy listening to his podcast, Pints With Aquinas. On the podcast, he frequently discusses different aspects of the Five Ways (of proving the existence of God by means of philosophy, instead of relying on divine revelation). Although Aquinas wrote the five ways in a relatively short fashion, they pack a lot, which Fradd and Delfino help to clarify the logic used by Aquinas.

Although some of the dialogue at the beginning and end of each chapter feels a little contrived, it's simply transitional chit-chat, which neither adds to nor takes away from the meat of the book. In fact, I think those portions are included and written in the way that they are to reflect a friendly but intense discussion about a very important topic, something that is all too frequently absent in our culture today (especially when religion is involved).

For a short, relatively simple introduction to a highly complex and frequently-misunderstood subject, that is very readable, Fradd and Delfino are very effective.

[Laurent Dv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une présentation très accessible des cinq voies de Thomas d'Aquin (cinq arguments pour l'existence de Dieu) sous forme de dialogues. On trouve aussi un dialogue sur le problème du mal et la science (plus précisément, le scientisme, une position qui affirme que seule la science nous permet de connaître le monde et qu'il n'existe rien d'autre que ce qu'elle nous fait découvrir). A la fin, on trouve un résumé plus unifié des cinq voies et une introduction très compréhensible aux notions basiques de la philosophie de Thomas d'Aquin.

Seuls défauts : je trouve que la partie sur le problème du mal ne répond pas à d'autres arguments qu'on pourrait opposer (la prédestination, l'enfer, le compatibilisme ou compatibilité entre nos actions et le fait que Dieu ait tout prévu) et le dialogue sur la quatrième voie n'est pas très claire (en tout cas j'ai eu du mal à la comprendre), même si je ne prétends pas que ça soit facile de la présenter clairement.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt Fradd does a great job of retaining the weight of Aquinas' famous five arguments for the existence of a higher being while keeping them in a somewhat readable fashion. In this case, within an exchange of dialogue between an Atheist (who presents good counter-arguments and questions) and a Christian. I think this is an excellent resource for acquiring reasons for the existence of a higher being that do not conflate with science as well as showing how a good argument (one in which both sides are civil and open to dialogue) can still happen today.

If this book does interest you as well as philosophy in general... I'd also highly recommend listening to Matt Fradd's podcast, "Pints with Aquinas" for similar topics and discussion on philosophy, ethics, and theology.

[Charlie Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique form of introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways; told via a dialogue between characters Lucy & AJ, a Catholic & an Athiest, respectively.

The fictitious dialogue, which takes place over a week of coffeeshop rendezvous, serves as a 'real-world' discussion between two initial strangers as to the existence of God.
As in real life, both argue their point, learn a little, go home and do research on the next thing they'll say, while presumably rubbing their hands, chanting, "This'll show them...".

Remember, however, that this is not a debate; it serves as an intro and advocate for Aquinas' Five Ways, first and foremost. As a result, it is a lot of Lucy explaining the Five Ways and Aquinas' philosophy to AJ.

If that's what you're here for, this is an easy recommend.

[Cipriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving it 4 stars not because I agree with everything that is said (I disagree with a lot of it) but because it explains Thomas Aquinas' 5 ways in a very simple and easy to read form. And I really enjoy the dialogue structure, it feels like getting a book with many pictures and works great for an entertaining subway ride.

That being said, if anything, this book shows that the Christian God as depicted in the Bible is very unlikely to exist as Dawkins explained in the God Delusion but it does provide an argument for something else. Also it can't really avoid falling in the god of the gaps fallacy which is annoying.

[Rowdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was raised a catholic by choice of my parents. And as a kid I could believe in God and all that goes with it. Then I started thinking and wondering and lost what you would call believe. Too much unexplained and too many wonders, I guess. The five way of Thomas Aquinas did not change that then and it does not change that now. Is this a good book? Well it did make me think why I chose to go my own way and not believe. Agree or disagree anything that makes you stand still and think is a good way to pass the time.

[Leila Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this book! I have never encountered a better or more accessible introduction to Aquinas's 5 Ways. It is understandable, but not too easy, entertaining, but not silly, and very engaging. As you learn the Five Ways, you will also be learning the common objections to them. A must read! Cannot recommend it highly enough. Have a listen to the Pints With Aquinas podcast while you're at it.

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best and simplest presentation of the five ways of Thomas Aquinas (who was a Catholic theologian and philosopher). If you only read one book on this subject, this should be it. This book maintains the depth of Thomas’s arguments for the existence of God, balanced with a conversational and clear presentation. It really clarified my understanding of the five ways and I got a lot out of it due to the straightforward explanations and logic.

[Levi Borba · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a must read for those that want an introduction into St. Thomas Aquinas ways. The book develops in a way that grabs your attention without neglect the main points of Aquinas logic. The language is accessible and there are plenty of analogies that make much easier to grab the concepts transmitted by this brilliant theologician of the medieval ages.

[BoB Lever · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting approach to sharing Aquinas’ five ways. The books is written as a dialogue between Aj, and Lucy in a series of meetings over coffee. Definitions and deeper explanations are held in the second part of the book. This manner of laying out the five proofs works well and many arguments are addressed. I might think this is the easiest entry to Aquinas and his five ways.

[Patrick Rodda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Fradd & Robert Delfino have done a wonderful job simplifying St Thomas Aquinas’ 5 Ways.
Though the new terminology was difficult to grasp I found that, by the time I arrived at the end of the dialogue, much questions I had had been defogged.
Chptr 10 was most useful as a reference guide. Gosh, there is still so much to learn!
Grab a pint and let your mind ponder the mysteries of God!

[Vicente Alti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una buena síntesis de las cinco vías de Tomas de Aquino, mediante una estructura de diálogo bastante predictiva que aburre un poco. Es una guía adecuada para exponer la filosofía tomista a algunos de los mejores argumentos del evolucionismo ateo.

Recomendable para quienes se introducen en el tema, pero muy básico para quienes ya lo conocen.

[Abdul Rahman Mahayni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book but also disappointed that the authors failed to mention that Aquinas was also inspired by Ibn Sina (or Avicenna) who laid out these arguments almost 2000 years prior.

Overall I found that the Five Ways are more aligned with the Islamic understanding of Allah than they are with the Christian understanding of God.

[Mike Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muh excelente

It’s an excellent introduction to Aquinas’s 5 ways, using dialogue between a Thomist and an atheist in a coffeshop. If you’re interested in engaging the 5 ways but overwhelmed by technical jargon or whatever, this is a good entry point.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aquinas is hard, especially the terms and the phrasing. I'm thankful that Fradd and Delfino made it at least more accessible. I'm especially thankful for this wonderful Saint Thomas Aquinas who God gave us as a towering intellect to glorify ipsum esse.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

A solid introduction to Thomas Aquinas’ The Five Ways. The presentation format,of a Socratic Dialogue made it easy for beginners to understand. I would recommend this to anyone looking into religion, philosophy, or psychology.

[John Bolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book puts St. Thomas Aquinas’s 5 Ways to Prove God’s existence in a fun easy to read dialogue. While the book was well done, I would have needed to take a lot more time reading back through the chapters to understand the concepts better. However, it was a great introduction to the 5 Ways!

[Russel Niere · Rating 4 out of 5]

It makes the 5 ways much easier to understand.

[Keith Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fradd and Delfino provide a surprisingly robust summary of Aquinas's five ways, including interesting and relevant objections, in a dialogue format that works well.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice way to begin to grapple with the Five Ways of Aquinas. Helpful definitions and explanations are included after the main section.

[Nicole Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful for all the generous examples! 🥵 Haven’t felt this dumb reading a book since college. Haha!

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and accessible introduction to the thought of St. Thomas about the existence of God.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read. Loved the dialogue style. Made Aquinas' points easier to understand for the existence of God. Looking forward to reading it again.