Feser’s Neo-Platonic proof reasons from composite beings to the existence of an absolutely simple being. In this video, I critically evaluate the argument. NOTE (ADDED 3/21/26): This video represented my views at the time of recording. Some of my views have changed since then, but I'm leaving the video up because it contains lots of helpful information, and also shows my thinking at the time. Like the show? Help it grow! Consider becoming a patron (thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/majestyofreason​ If you wanna make a one-time donation or tip (thanks!): https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/josephcschmid This video is based on: Schmid, J.C. Forthcoming. “Simply Unsuccessful: The Neo-Platonic Proof of God's Existence", European Journal for Philosophy of Religion. The article above is a proper part of Chapter 9 of my book. I've linked that chapter below! [I'm currently speaking with various editors at different presses regarding this book, so I can't share the whole book.] Chapter 9: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dXMBuvHJBT_rY0ebMzLtVDy8HFIz8lY2/view?usp=sharing Outline Existential inertia links, for those interested: (1) IJPR paper: https://philpapers.org/archive/SCHEIA-20.pdf (2) Response to Hsiao and Sanders: https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2021/02/02/response-to-hsiao-and-sanders-on-existential-inertia-and-the-thomistic-contingency-argument/ (3) A User’s Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr44d_1_sGk (4) Response to Intellectual Conservatism, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dG1HbbFRfI (5) Response to Intellectual Conservatism, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3pn4QCPFtI (6) Response to Nemes: https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2020/10/31/fact-checking-nemes-on-existential-inertia/ (7) Response to RM and HoH: https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2021/01/14/response-to-rm-and-hoh/ (8) Response to Thomistic Disputations: https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2021/01/23/fact-checking-td-on-existential-inertia/ (9) Discussion with Oppy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybUW693C8UY (10) Covered in sections of this post: https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/an-unsuccessful-defense-of-classical-theism-a-systematic-response-to-sonna-kerr-and-tomaszewski/ (11) Sophia paper: https://philpapers.org/rec/SCHSOO-8 (12) My blog post, "Feser on Schmid on the Aristotelian proof": https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2021/07/04/feser-on-schmid-on-the-aristotelian-proof/ (13) My blog post, "Feser on Schmid on Existential Inertia": https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2021/07/11/feser-on-schmid-on-existential-inertia-a-comprehensive-response/ (14) Comprehensive blog post, "So you think you understand existential inertia?" https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/2021/07/31/so-you-think-you-understand-existential-inertia/ Valdi Ingthorsson's 2021 book: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mono/10.4324/9781003094241/powerful-particulars-view-causation-ingthorsson References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eBvsW-KN5BuOnmoSz54pjTsoYbttfiGw_LIaMLgnlMU/edit?usp=sharing And the usual links: My book: https://www.amazon.com/Majesty-Reason-Critical-Thinking-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B086G7KS52 My website: https://majestyofreason.wordpress.com/