In this book Feser competently argues that God exists given a certain Scholastic metaphysical framework. Whether you think the arguments succeed depends on whether that metaphysical framework is true.

The Aristotelian proof argues from the actualization of potentials to something fully actual. The neo-Platonic proof argues from composite things to something simple and non-composite. The Rationalist proof argues from things that do not explain themselves to something that contains within itself its own sufficient reason for existence. The Thomistic proof argues from things whose essence is not identical to their existence to something whose essence must be identical to its existence. The Augustinian proof argues from the existence of eternal truths to an eternal mind that contains these truths.

Feser devotes a chapter on the divine attributes and how the proofs entail them. He also devotes a chapter to objections of various kinds.

Why did I give five stars? Even though I don't find the arguments compelling, I recommend the book. It's well-written, well-structured, and covers arguments and topics that generally don't get a lot of airtime in the modern God debate. The only possible fault of this book is that although Feser utilizes Scholastic metaphysics to undergird the proofs, he generally doesn't provide reasons to think those metaphysics are true. I don't know if this should be counted as a fault though, because Feser has another book entitled 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘴 which presumably (I haven't read it) provides reasons to accept the metaphysical framework that undergirds the proofs. As it is, 𝘍𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥 is a concise book, and a thorough explication of Scholastic metaphysics would turn it into a slog, so I don't fault Feser for leaving that job to his other book.

P.S.

This is NOT a book about Aquinas' Five Ways, nor is it merely a summary of other thinkers' arguments. Although these proofs have been around for centuries, the particular expression of them in this book is unique to Feser.

If you think God exists, read this book. If you don't think God exists, read this book. If you think it's impossible for human persons to know, for sure, if God exists, read this book. In short, read this book.

Professor Feser shows that if you believe any of the following propositions, you should also believe that God exists:

1. Change is real.
2. The things we see, experience, and interact with are made up of parts.
3. Abstract objects, such as universals, numbers, propositions, and possible worlds exist.
4. The things we see have distinct essences and existences.
5. The principle of sufficient reason is true.

In addition, Professor Feser, in his characteristically succinct and thorough manner, demonstrates that the best objections to these classical proofs for God's existence simply aren't very good.

Of course, these aren't the only proofs for God's existence. Personally, I believe the moral argument is the easiest one to grasp; the Kalam cosmological argument, especially as presented and defended by William Lane Craig, is also very good. The moral argument, specifically as it is made by C.S. Lewis in "Mere Christianity" is what made me realize the objective existence of God. However, the proofs presented in this excellent work by Feser only serve to make more robust my knowledge of God.

If you're an atheist and want to honestly say you've encountered the best arguments for God's existence, read this book.

Edward Feser’s Five Proofs of the Existence of God takes five arguments and demonstrates that they prove with certainty that God exists, assuming that the premises are true. He shows that the premises are reasonable and does indeed present cogent arguments for believing that God exists. What is nice about this book is that his arguments demonstrate that God has many of the traits commonly associated with the Christian

God, such as being all-good, all powerful, one, and omniscient. This is an outstanding book and deserves a wide readership.

Note that the Five Proofs are not the same as Thomas Aquinas’s Five Proofs, though one of them is. The proofs were chosen for being powerful arguments. This book gives an argument for God’s existence based on the fact that abstract ideas exist, and since they can only exist ultimately in the mind of God, then God must exist. Very few books present that argument, which adds greatly to Five Proofs.

The problem of universals is covered clearly, with Realism shown to be the correct understanding, and Nominalism and Conceptualism being false. It is rare to find the problem of universals presented so clearly, and the resolution of the problem so convincingly demonstrated.

Another of the five arguments is the argument from the Principle of Sufficient Reason, which is also not often cited among arguments for God’s existence. Basically, the Principle of Sufficient Reason states that there is a good explanation for everything that happens in the universe, whether we can discover that reason or not. The argument is that everything needs a good reason for its existence, and the universe needs a good reason for its existence, and God is the only reasonable explanation for the universe and its many aspects. For example, a rational God explains why the laws of physics are rational and why humans have reason.

The Principle of Proportionate Causality is also explained, which states that a cause cannot give what it doesn’t have. Mindless matter doesn’t have the ability to think, so a merely material universe can’t be the cause of rational minds in humans, but a rational God can give rationality to humans.

Edward Feser also includes a good argument refuting David Hume’s supposed claim that miracles are violations of the laws of nature. His metaphor that miracles are like God playing a score (i.e. keeping nature going) then suddenly improving (i.e. performing miracles) is striking and poetic.

Feser also relates how the precepts of natural theology can help us decide which religions are not true. Since natural theology demonstrates that God is rational, one, good, a person, and all-powerful, any religion that posits pantheism, or doesn’t have a God can’t be true.

The last chapter refutes several of the arguments given by the New Atheists and shows that they are wrong. The author also includes a section refuting the “divine hiddenness” argument and does a good job. He probably should have stressed more that, if God truly revealed himself, many people would be intimidated into worshipping God; after all, one doesn’t rob a bank when there are 20 police cars outside it, and should God reveal himself unambiguously in all his power and omniscience, it would coerce many into worshipping God. Perhaps God doesn’t reveal himself more clearly because he wants those who follows who love Him rather than fear Him.

If wisdom is more precious that rubies, then this book is worth at least seven rubies. Anyone who loves wisdom, God and the truth should buy and read this book.