Argument From the Degrees of perfection
This argument was popularized by Thomas Aquinas, and was based upon teachings from Plato.
Things exist in varying degrees of perfection, and some things are better than others. The levels of existence from bottom to top are…
1. Non-Being- this does not exist in any physical or spiritual way

2. Matter-This is existence in its simplest form, it is inanimate and has only physical characteristics

3. Vegetation-This exhibits all of the characteristics of matter and possesses life in addition to those. It can grow, and reproduce.

4. Animal-Has the characteristics of Matter and Vegetation and has consciousness. It can sense perception, remember things, and has basic instincts.

5. Human being-we possess all of the qualities of Matter, Vegetation, and Animals, and we have a spiritual existence too. This spiritual existence can be defined as our abstract thought, our free will, and our reason.

The main point of this argument is that existence seems to become more and more complex and it seems to point towards some purely spiritual 6th existence which we call God.

6. God-Pure Spirit and Pure Being.


So, the basis of this argument for God's existence is that existence seems to be pointing towards a God because with each varying degree of it (existence) gets closer to perfection.

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