The argument was created by a churchman for churchmen, it wasn't intended or used as a popular argument, but it's worth understanding that c. 1000 CE this argument seemed compelling to literate folks who were introduced to it. If people had thought it was ludicrous nonsense they actually were free to say this, this is a philosophical argument, not doctrine, and the Church didn't have too much to do with supporting/opposing such things other than opposing philosophical arguments seen as heretical.