The Thomistic Institute Revisiting Aquinas' Five Ways w/ Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., Prof. Robert Koons, & Prof. Daniel Bonevac
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Aug 1, 2024 
Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., a philosopher and theologian, alongside Professors Robert Koons and Daniel Bonevac, both experts in metaphysics and logic. They dive into the contemporary significance of Aquinas' Five Ways, discussing common misconceptions about motion and causality. The guests challenge mechanical views of time, emphasizing a metaphysical First Mover. They also explore God's simplicity and the relevance of Aquinas' thought today, highlighting the dynamic interplay between philosophy and theology.
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Longtime Colleagues Collaborate On New Five Ways Book
- Koons and Bonevac have been colleagues and friends at UT Austin for decades and are coauthoring a book on the Five Ways.
- They describe drafting the book, with Koons focusing on introduction/conclusion and both bringing diverse expertise.
Check Greek And Latin Before Criticizing The Ways
- Revisit original-language sources and Aristotle when studying the Five Ways.
- Koons warns translations mislead: the fourth and fifth ways often get reversed or misread without Greek and Latin checks.
First Way Explains Passage Of Time Not Mechanical Motion
- The First Way targets the metaphysical explanation of time's passage not outdated mechanical pushes.
- Koons argues time depends on change, so the prime mover must explain continuity of change and thus be outside time.