Can Richard Dawkins Successfully Refute St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fourth Way?

In this paper I argue that Richard Dawkins’ original attempt at refuting St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fourth Way in The God Delusion fails. Dawkins’ criticism is based on a misreading of the Fourth Way as it overlooks the underlying metaphysics of the argument. On the basis of Dawkins’ wider philosophy, I suggest that a more dangerous criticism can be fledged against the Fourth Way on his behalf. In the conclusion of this debate, I reject the claim that Dawkins can successfully refute the Fourth Way. Although there is much more to be said that goes beyond the scope of my enquiry, I suggest the disagreement is ultimately a fundamental one. Dawkins cannot refute Aristotle’s metaphysics and therefore he cannot successfully refute the Fourth Way, at best, he can only cast reasonable doubt on the argument. Website: www.thepanpsychist.co