First cause
In scholastic philosophy, the first cause (Latin prima causa or causa prima , also: primum movens ) is the substance or being to which all (other) beings go back. Because that which does not exist out of itself, i.e. H. the unnecessary ( contingents ) always requires a cause for its existence , there must be the first cause which is absolute or, in other words, necessary.
Theists argue that this First Cause is related to the Absolute , i.e. H. God collapses. The argument goes back in particular to Aristotle , who speaks of a “first unmoved man” ( ancient Greek πρῶτον κινοῦν ἀκίνητον , prôton kinoun akinêton ) in Book XII (Chapter 7. The first mover and his activity. 1072 a f.) Of his metaphysics , and was further developed in scholasticism, especially by Thomas Aquinas , within the framework of natural theology .
This reasoning is usually criticized in today's philosophy. The objection is made that both the possibility of infinite causal chains cannot be ruled out and the identification of a First Cause with God is questionable.