Perfection is an attribute that can be applied to God in order to describe his essence. The attribute of perfection differs in meaning when applied to human beings because human beings are creations of God. For example, what human beings call perfect it may be due to the individual’s personal preference. This can be illustrated in calling a painting or a piece of music perfect. This poses a problem because every human being may have a different definition of what is perfect. God is the true source and definition of perfection. This can be revealed to human beings from the arguments Aquinas gives in his Treatise on the Divine Nature. He gives these arguments in order for one to know who God is because humans lack the ability to physically see God. Aquinas begins his argument for God’s perfection by defining perfection. He states that, “In order for something to be perfect it must lack nothing and possess excellence”. To lack nothing indicates that the particular being that one is conversing about does not have any deficiency. A deficiency is having a weakness or an area where one falls short in. Excellence is
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If every other being other than God are effects of God, then that would mean God is the first cause of every being. This is the premise of a previous argument shown in Question 3-Article 8 to also prove and support God’s existence and perfection. Aquinas states in his reply, “God is the first efficient cause. God must act first and through himself.” There are potential consequences that would occur if God was not the first being. For example, in human beings it takes both a man and a woman to create a child. The sample process applies to each parent. Each parent has his or her own set of parents that created him or herself. The cycle continues and one is left to ponder at the idea of the existence of a first cause. This cycle is known as the argument of infinite
If every other being other than God are effects of God, then that would mean God is the first cause of every being. This is the premise of a previous argument shown in Question 3-Article 8 to also prove and support God’s existence and perfection. Aquinas states in his reply, “God is the first efficient cause. God must act first and through himself.” There are potential consequences that would occur if God was not the first being. For example, in human beings it takes both a man and a woman to create a child. The sample process applies to each parent. Each parent has his or her own set of parents that created him or herself. The cycle continues and one is left to ponder at the idea of the existence of a first cause. This cycle is known as the argument of infinite