Question 2, Article 3: Whether Santa Claus exists?
We proceed thus to the third article (of discussion): It seems that Santa Claus does not exist.
Objection 1.
It seems that Santa Claus does not exist, because Christmas gifts are
able to be given to us by the good elves. Therefore, Santa Claus does
not exist.
Objection 2. If Santa Claus did exist, there
would be no chimneys too narrow for him. But there are chimneys too
narrow for him, and sometimes none at all. So Santa Claus does not
exist.
On the contrary, Kay Starr says "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus’".
I answer that, The existence of Santa Claus can be proved in five ways.
The
first and most manifest way is the argument from Christmas trees. It is
certain and evident to our senses that some things in this world are
Christmas trees. Now no fir becomes a Christmas tree unless it is
trimmed. But to be trimmed means that one receives an ornament. And
since one cannot go to infinity in the passing on of Christmas tree
ornaments, there must be a first Untrimmed Trimmer, and this everyone
understands to be Santa Claus.
The second way is from the motion
of Christmas presents. In this world we find the giving of Christmas
presents. Now he who gives Christmas presents either got them from
someone else or made them in his workshop. And since if no one makes
Christmas presents in his workshop, there won’t be any giving of
Christmas presents, there must be a First Giver of Christmas presents,
to which everyone gives the name Santa Claus.
The third way is
from the plastic images of Santa Claus. In all department stores we see
plastic things which represent Santa Claus. Now these things are
representative either because of Santa Claus himself or because of other
images of Santa. But there can be no infinite regression in
representation, so there must be something which is like Santa Claus
because it is Santa Claus.
The fourth way is taken from degrees
of Christmas spirit. We see that people in this world have more or less
Christmas spirit. But ‘more’ or ‘less’ can be said only in reference to a
‘most’. So there must be someone who has the most Christmas spirit, and
this person we call Santa Claus.
The fifth way is from the
conduct of children. As Christmas approaches, we see children, who lack
intelligence, acting for an end, which is shown by their always being
good, or almost always. But children would not be good for Christmas
unless someone ensured that they be good. This someone is known by
everyone to be Santa Claus.
Reply to Objection 1. Since the good elves got the presents they give from someone else, they must at most be Santa’s helpers.
Reply to Objection 2. It is not impossible that Santa Claus uses the door like everyone else.
Source: Summa Contra Scroogica
Share This
