Thomistic Philosophy (PHI 310) 3 credits Spring 2010
Aquinas Institute Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana Course Syllabus Instructor: Richard C. Chiasson BS, MBA, MA (Philosophy), MA (Theology) Telephone:
[337] 235-0071 (home) [337] 896-6050, ext. 227 (work)
e-mail:
[email protected]
If you wish to speak with me privately, call the above telephone number or send an e-mail to schedule an appointment. All of the following apply to students taking the course for credit. Auditors are only subject to dress policies and class protocol requirements. Time and Location of Classes Classes will be held every Tuesday at the Immaculata Center (John XXIII Room), 1408 Carmel Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana. Each class will meet from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a break from 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM. Course Description An overview of the fundamental philosophical teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas including a study of his life, the historical framework in which he developed his philosophical positions, the structure of the medieval university, the controversies in which Thomas was embroiled, his impact on education, Thomas’ insistence on the necessity of both faith and reason, and the importance of Pope Leo XIII’s revival of Thomistic philosophy. Specific philosophical disciplines examined from St. Thomas Aquinas’ perspective include, but are not limited to, the philosophy of nature, the philosophy of human nature, epistemology, natural theology, metaphysics, moral philosophy and political philosophy. The Christian and perennial philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas is studied from the writings of the Angelic Doctor. Course Goals After successfully completing the course, the student will: Have a fundamental knowledge of the philosophic teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas.
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Understand what distinguishes Thomistic philosophy from the positions of other philosophers. Be capable of integrating Aquinas’ philosophy into the study of Catholic theology. Realize why one must have knowledge of sound Christian philosophy before the study of theology. Appreciate why Thomistic philosophy is truly the handmaid of Catholic theology. Course Rationale
“[Thomistic philosophy] is simply the teachings of St. Thomas, as opposed to some ‘ism’ which purports to be the true representation of his thought. A ‘system’ of his thought is not possible because truth for Thomas was inexhaustible and . . . can never be grasped in its totality, much less represented by some school of human thought. Those who adhere to any form of ‘Thomism’ have done nothing but limited what St. Thomas teaches truth, however, cannot be limited. If we narrow Thomas’ teachings, we narrow reality.” — Joseph Pieper, The Silence of St. Thomas Method of Instruction The primary method of instruction will be lectures with active participation of the student, assigned readings and the writing of research papers the purpose of which is to permit the student to individually delve deeper into certain topics discussed in the lectures. Taking good notes is essential to doing well in this course. Lectures will not simply be a repetition of assigned readings but will usually include topics that are not in assigned readings. Thus, it is imperative that credit students have accurate notes for every class in order to prepare for the final examination. Students are permitted to audio tape lectures if they so wish for personal use only. Required Texts 1. Thomas Aquinas—Selected Writings, edited and translated with an introduction and notes by Ralph McInerny, published by Penguin Books. 2. The Silence of St. Thomas, by Josef Pieper, published by St. Augustine’s Press, South Bend, Indiana. 3. Either The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy, edited by Thomas Mautner, published by Penguin Books or the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, by Simon Blackburn, published by Oxford University Press. [N.B.: if any required texts are no longer in print, obtain them from a used book dealer. Use bookfinder.com to locate a dealer who has the book.] Some Suggested Readings for Your Own Edification1
The Thought of Thomas Aquinas, by Brian Davies, published by Clarendon Press, Oxford.
1
Some of the below texts may be out of print but can be obtained from used book dealers such as Preserving Christian Publications at http://www.pepbooks.com or Book Finder at http://www.bookfinder.com.
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On Being and Essence, by St. Thomas Aquinas, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. Guide to Thomas Aquinas, by Josef Pieper, published by Ignatius Press, San Francisco. An Aquinas Reader—Selections from the Writings of Thomas Aquinas, edited, with and introduction by Mary T. Clark, Fordham University Press, New York. Preambula Fidei—Thomism and the God of the Philosophers, by Ralph McInerny, published by The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C. Aquinas Against the Averroists—On There Being Only One Intellect, translated with analysis by Ralph McInerny, published by Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, Indiana. Disputed Questions on Virtue, by Thomas Aquinas, translated and preface by Ralph McInerny, published St. Augustine’s Press, South Bend, Indiana. Faith, Reason and Theology—Questions I-IV of Commentary on the De Trinitate of Boethius, y Thomas Aquinas, translation and notes by Armand Maurer, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. A Preface to Metaphysics—Seven Lectures on Being, by Jacques Maritain, Published by Ayer Company Publishers, Inc., Salem, New Hampshire. Introduction to the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, Volume IV Metaphysics, by H.D. Gardeil, published by B. Herder Book Company, St. Louis, Missouri. Being and Some Philosophers, by Etienne Gilson, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. Quodlibetal Questions 1 and 2, by Thomas Aquinas, translated with an introduction and notes by Sandra Edwards, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. An Introduction to the Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by James F. Anderson, published by Regnery Gateway. On Spiritual Creatures, by St. Thomas Aquinas, published by Marquette University Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Division and Methods of the Sciences—Questions V and VI of Commentary on the De Trinitate of Boethius, by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by Armand Maurer, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. Aquinas and Analogy, by Ralph McInerny, published by Catholic University Press, Washington, D.C. Commentary on the Book of Causes, by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by Vincent A. Guagliardo, O.P., Charles R. Hess, O.P., Richard C. Taylor, published by The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C. Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio—On Faith and Reason, Pope John Paul II. This can be downloaded from the Vatican website free of charge. [http://www.vatican.va—click on the papal archives button on the home page] A Student’s Guide to Philosophy, by Ralph M. McInerny, published by Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Wilmington, Delaware.
Major Works of St. Thomas Aquinas: Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics Commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Page 3 of 25
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Commentary on Aristotle’s On Interpretation Commentary on Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics Commentary on Aristotle’s On the Soul Commentary on Aristotle’s Physics Commentary on Aristotle’s Politics Compendium Theologiae—The Compendium of Theology De Anima—On the Soul De Ente et Essentia—On Being and Essence Disputed Question on the Cardinal Virtues Disputed Question on the Virtues in General De Malo—On Evil De Potentia—On The Power of God De Spiritualibus Creaturis—On Spiritual Creatures De Veritate—On Truth Faith, Reason, and Theology On The Unity of the Intellect Against the Averroists Summa2 Contra Gentiles—Summa of Christian Teaching Summa Theologiae—Summa of Theology The Division and Methods of the Sciences
Lives of St. Thomas Aquinas: Aquinas. F.C. Copleston Saint Thomas Aquinas. Gerald Vann, O.P. Saint Thomas Aquinas. M.C. D’Arcy, S.J. St. Thomas Aquinas and His Work. A.D. Sertillanges, O.P. St. Thomas Aquinas. Jacques Maritain St. Thomas Aquinas. Joseph Pieper Saint Thomas Aquinas, Volume 1—The Person and His Work, Volume 2—Spiritual Master. Jean-Pierre Torrell, O.P. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Volume 2. The Dumb Ox—The Life of St. Thomas Aquinas. G.K. Chesterton. Class Attendance Policy (a.)
Excused/unexcused absences.
The student should incur no more than one (1) excused absence and one (1) unexcused absence. An excused absence is one in which the reason for the absence has been approved by the Instructor at least 48 hours prior to the time of the class to be missed. An unexcused absence is one where the Instructor has not approved the reason for the absence at least 48 hours prior to the time of the class missed or any reason for an 2
The Latin word Summa generally means “on the whole.”
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absence which has not been approved by the Instructor. Violations of the absence policy may result in dismissal from the course. The Instructor has the authority to extend the excused and/or unexcused absence limits for individual students if unusual situations should arise. Auditors are not required to attend every class. However, if an auditor misses class they may well find themselves unable to comprehend future lectures. Accordingly, if an auditor is absent more than six (6) times, as determined solely by the Instructor, they will be dismissed from the course since with that many absences it will not be possible to truly benefit from the series of instructions. All auditors when attending a class are expected to come on time and to remain until the class is completed, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Instructor to come late or leave early. (b.)
What you must do if you will not be able to attend a class.
If you cannot attend a class, please call the Instructor at [337] 235-0071 [home] or [337] 849-3642 [cell]. You must speak directly with the Instructor—leaving a voice message or sending an E-mail is not acceptable and will be considered to be an unexcused absence. (c.)
Acceptable reasons for missing a class include, but are not limited to the following: Your illness. Illness of a spouse or child. Death of a near relative or close personal friend. Business travel or other required travel (vacation or holiday travel is not considered to be “required” travel). University examination. Job related event. Pregnancy and childbirth.
(d.)
What do you have to do if you miss a class?
Obtain the lecture notes from a student who attended the class you missed. There will be no make-up lectures. If you miss a class, it is also your responsibility to obtain any handout(s) which were distributed during that class. Any handouts from the prior lecture will be displayed in the lecture room. (e.)
Arriving late for class.
If you arrive late for class simply enter quietly and take an available seat. Do not inform the Instructor as to why you were late until after the class.
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Anyone who arrives more that 30 minutes late for class, as determined by the Instructor, will be documented as an unexcused absence. Be on time. (f.)
Leaving class early.
If you must leave class early, inform the Instructor prior to the beginning of the class as to the reason. Anyone who leaves without having spent at least 1½ hours in class, as determined by the Instructor, will be documented as an unexcused absence. Class Protocol All students, both auditors and those taking the course for credit, are expected to observe the following minimum code of conduct at all times during class. Any behavior deemed inappropriate by the Instructor, whether or not stated below, may result in dismissal from the course.
Recitation of prayers before and after each class. Active participation and attentiveness in class is expected. Prompt attendance is required. Please come to class before it begins. You are expected to remain until the class is completed. No food or beverages, except water, is permitted in the classroom. All communication devices that make noise must be turned off, unless it is absolutely necessary that they remain on, for example, if you are a physician. Sleeping is not permitted in class. Disruptive behavior is not permitted. Weapons of any sort are not permitted. Obscene, vulgar, profane, or blasphemous language is not permitted. Sexual harassment is not permitted. Leaning the head on the desk is not permitted. Chewing gum or any other substance is not permitted. If you have a question during class or wish to make a comment, raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking. Common courtesy will be practiced by all individuals attending the class. You are to dress in a Christian manner, i.e., modestly and civilized—e.g., women—no halter tops, plunging necklines, sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, cutoffs, etc.;—e.g., men—no cutoffs, shirts with inane pictures or words, rock group pictures, etc. Nose rings, tongue rings, pierced eyebrows, multiple pierced ears, etc. are not permitted. The wearing of caps during class is prohibited. Smoking is not permitted in the classroom. Attending class while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication is not permitted, if, in the sole determination of the Instructor, this results in the physical and/or mental impairment of the student.
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If rest room facilities are required, quietly leave the room. It is not necessary to inform the class. Guests are not permitted to accompany you to class. Course Grade
The credit student’s final grade is the total points out of a possible 100 and will be determined as follows: Writing Assignments 45% Final Examination 45% Class Participation 10% Writing Assignments Two required papers are to be in the following format:
3 pages of text single spaced, in 12 point regular font, preferably Times New Roman. All margins 1 inch justified; headers and footers 0.5 inches. Paragraphs are to have the first line indented 0.5 inches. A cover page with the student’s name, title of course [Thomistic Philosophy, PHI 310], date paper is due and the issue being addressed. A Bibliography and Endnotes (not Footnotes) are to comprise the last page. Direct quotations in the papers should be no longer than three (3) lines. Excessively long quotations will result in a deduction of points. Quotations are needed to show that you have researched the topic, but you must demonstrate critical thinking, creativity and understanding of the subject matter and not just quote other authors. The essay is to have an introduction, statement of the purpose of the paper and how the purpose will be accomplished. The major part of the text will accomplish the purpose and is to be followed by a combined summary and conclusion paragraph. Endnotes are to be limited to between ten (10) to fifteen (15) and the bibliography to between four (4) to six (6) sources. Violations of these guidelines will result in the deduction of points. Credit students are given a sample paper in the above format and should use it as a guideline in writing their papers. It is recommended that you select a topic as soon as possible and begin your research. If you wait until the topic is discussed in class it will be too late.
1st Writing Assignment Due March 2, 2010: [choose one of the following] 1. Present and comment on Chapter VI of Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio. 2. Analyze St. Thomas Aquinas’ How are Things Good? Exposition of On the Hebdomads of Boethius. 3. What is the distinction among divine names which are negative, relative and affirmative?
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2nd Writing Assignment Due April 27, 2010: [choose one of the following] 1. What are the metaphysical implications of: “to be and to be changeable are not identical”? 2. What are the philosophical differences between St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle with regard to the following: the world, ideas and knowledge, the nature of God, the theory of being, and moral and political philosophy? 3. Analyze Thomas’ commentary on Aristotle’s argument for an ultimate end: Commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (I Ethic., lectio 2). Papers turned in after the due date will receive a grade of “0”/”F”, unless a later date has been approved in advance by the Instructor. With regard to the writing assignments, you may use any source you feel is applicable. For example, you may consult Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics or Metaphysics, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae or Summa Contra Gentiles, any assigned reading, any book on philosophy or any writing by a philosopher that will help in achieving the objective of the writing assignment. Final Examination On the final examination the credit student will be asked to answer six (6) questions out of thirteen (13). Questions are to be answered in short essay form, with thirty (30) minutes allocated to each question. The questions will be taken from lecture notes only. A review will be conducted during the class immediately prior to the date of the final examination. A make-up final examination may be permitted only for a serious reason approved by the Instructor at least twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled examination time. Any make up final examination must be taken within seven days of the original test date. The make-up test will consist of an oral examination with the Instructor. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a grade of “0”/“F” on the final examination. Class Participation All credit students are expected to participate in the class. Participation includes, among other things, coming to class on time, attention to the material presented during class, staying current on reading assignments, the response to questions posed by the Instructor directly to a student and the asking of questions that show critical thinking skills. Class participation will affect your final grade. For example, if your grade on the two writing assignments is an A- and your grade on the final examination is a B+, I will use your grade in class participation to determine if you will receive an A or B as your final grade for the course. Determination of Final Course Grade Grades for papers, classroom participation and the final examination are distributed according to their respective percentage values and converted into letter grades as follows: 90 to 100 points = A 80 to 89 points = B 70 to 79 points = C 60 to 69 points = D 0 to 59 points = F
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The last date to drop the course with a grade of “W” will be Class 9 on March 9, 2010. After that date a grade will be assigned. (N.B.: The Aquinas Institute will not grant tuition refunds for those who withdraw from the course after registration). Academic Dishonesty “Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, academic misconduct, falsification, fabrication, and the attempt to commit such a violation” (Student Handbook, p. 31). Refer to the Student Handbook for definitions and examples. A student involved in academic dishonesty will receive a 0/“F” for that assignment/examination. Based on the severity of the violation, academic dishonesty may be reported by the Instructor to the Director of the Aquinas Institute and/or the appropriate Dean in the manner outlined in the student handbook. Ultimately, a student found guilty of academic dishonesty may be dismissed from the Aquinas Institute and Our Lady of Holy Cross College. A copy of the Student Handbook may be downloaded at olhcc.edu. Class Schedule and Reading Assignments The particular topics stated below are the subject matter of the lectures in outline format and may or may not correspond to the reading assignment. Reading Assignments are to be completed for the particular class and not for the next class. Thus, you are to read the first two assignments for Class 2. Class 1: January 5, 2010 OVERVIEW OF COURSE Course Introduction Nature of Aquinas Institute and Direction Purpose of Philosophy in the Aquinas Institute Tentative Schedule of Philosophy Courses to be Offered by the Institute Through Fall of 2010 Review of Syllabus and Course Requirements Introduction To Philosophy in General: Beginning of Philosophy in Wonder All Men by Nature Desire to Know Classical Definition of Philosophy Philosophy Contrasted with Theology Pope John Paul II: Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio, Chapter VI “The Interaction between Philosophy and Theology” Historical Rise of Philosophy As a Science The Perennial Principles of the Classical Realist Tradition Divisions of Philosophy: Speculative and Practical Page 9 of 25
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Characteristics of Speculative and Practical Philosophy Pedagogical Division or the Order of Learning: logic, mathematics, natural philosophy, moral philosophy, metaphysics Historical Divisions of Philosophy: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Recent Christian Philosophy as defined by Jacques Maritain and Etienne Gilson Scholastic Philosophy Philosophical Pluralism Philosophy and the Secular Sciences Pre-theology requirements The Teaching of Philosophy Why Study Philosophy?
Reading Assignment:
Josef Pieper, The Silence of St. Thomas. Class 2: January 12, 2010 INTRODUCTION TO ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Life Early life: birth, education at Monte Cassino, religious vocation Influence of St. Albert the Great University of Paris: licentiate to teach theology, Latin Averroist controversy Erudition in the service of God Brief chronology of the life of Thomas Aquinas Life As Bibliography: Major Works Theological Syntheses: Commentary of the Sentences of Peter Lombard, Summa Contra Gentiles, Summa Theologiae Structure of the Summa Theologiae Academic Disputations: Quaestio disputata and Quaestiones quodlibetales Expositions of Holy Scripture: Expositions of Job, the Psalms, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Gospels of St. Matthew and St. John, Epistles of St. Paul. Expositions of some Aristotelian Works: Commentaries on On Interpretation, Posterior Analytics, Physics, On the Soul, Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics Other Expositions: On Boethius’ The Trinity and The Hebdomads, on The Divine Names of Pseudo-Dionysius, on Proclus’s Book of Causes Polemical Writings: Against Those Impugning the Religious Life, On the Perfection of the Spiritual Life, On There Being only One Intellect, against the Averroists Treatises on Special Subjects: On Fallacies, On Being and Essence, The Compendium of Theology, On Separate Substances, On the Rule of Princes, to the King of Cyprus Expert Opinions: The Errors of the Greeks Letters on a range of topics as answers to questions
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Liturgical Pieces and Sermons: Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi, Lenten Cycle Sermons, Various Prayers Medieval Education From Liberal Arts to the University The Structure of the University Thomas’s Polemics against the Latin Averroists Mode of Exposing St. Thomas’ Philosophy Thomistic system? Divergences of interpretation The Spirit Of St. Thomas’ Philosophy Realist and concrete Importance of esse Influence of various philosophers General relation and comparison to Aristotle Philosophical knowledge neither sufficient nor final Reading Assignment: How are Things Good? Exposition of On the Hebdomads of Boethius, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 142-162. Class 3: January 19, 2010 PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY ACCORDING
TO
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Distinction Between Philosophy And Theology Diagram Differences: end, how each end is possessed, effort, certainty Pope John Paul II Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio: current problems Moral Necessity Of Revelation Goal of philosophy Summa theologiae, I, q. 1., a. 1 Incompatibility Of Faith And Science In The Same Mind Concerning The Same Object Belief vs. knowledge The Preambles of Faith Natural End And Supernatural End Final good of philosopher vs. theologian Importance of infused virtues Grace perfects and does not destroy nature St. Thomas and St. Bonaventure Bonaventure and Aquinas on Aristotle St. Thomas As “Innovator” Aristotelianism as an instrument for the expression of his philosophy No blind worshipper of Aristotle Overview of the Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas
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Faith and reason God and creation Theory of being Man Moral philosophy Political theory
Reading Assignment: Theology, Faith and Reason. On Boethius On the Trinity, 1-2 from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 109-141. Class 4: January 26, 2010 PRINCIPLES OF LIMITED BEING Reasons For Starting With Corporeal Being Formal object of the human intellect: being as the first thing known (ens ut primum cognitum) Proper object of the human intellect: the essence of material things Hylomorphism The nature of material substances Aristotelian categories Accidental vs. substantial change The Physical or Natural Thing—The Basic Vocabulary Act and potency Accident and substance Form and matter Being and becoming Rejection Of Rationes Seminales St. Augustine’s theory of seedlike principles Prime matter: pure potentiality Act without act Rejection Of Plurality Of Substantial Forms Plurality defined Man: human being accidentally or substantially St. Thomas and the problem of the soul in the thirteenth century Restriction Of Hylomorphic Composition To Corporeal Substances St. Bonaventure and hylomorphic composition of angels The great chain of being Separated substances Poseidonius and the Aristotelian doctrine of separate intelligences The angels The nature of spiritual substances Consequence of denial of hylomorphic composition of separated substances Page 12 of 25
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Potentiality And Act Matter/form vs. potency/act Reduction of potentiality to act requires a principle which is itself in act Aristotle’s “motor causality principle” Essence And Existence Finite beings have existence; they are not existence Existence defined Ens, essentia, esse Double composition in substances composed of matter and form The real distinction between essentia and esse as constituent principles of being Relationship between essence and existence In God alone are essence and existence identical Moslem philosophers on existence and essence St. Thomas: finite beings are contingent or non-necessary Esse as act Reading Assignment: On the Principles of Nature, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 18-29. Class 5: February 2, 2010 PROOFS OF GOD’S EXISTENCE Need Of Proof Idea of God’s existence not an innate idea Summa theologiae and Summa contra gentiles on the existence of God Confused and vague knowledge needs to be elucidated Man has no a priori knowledge of God St. Anselm’s Argument The “ontological” or a priori proof of God’s existence God is that than which no greater can be thought Evaluation of the argument: logical order vs. ontological order Must begin with the effects of God, not the idea of God Possibility Of Proof A posteriori arguments of God’s existence Examination of God’s effects All knowledge begins with the senses The primary object of the intellect: all beings Basic Structure Of The Five Natural Demonstrations For The Existence Of God According To St. Thomas Aquinas Evident fact of experience Setting forth the middle term: if there is an effect there must be a cause Exclusion of process in infinitum Page 13 of 25
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Conclusion The First Three Proofs First way: Aristotelian “motor causality principle” and Aristotelian definitions of “motion” Second way: starts with the cause while the first begins with the effect or rather with the process of causation itself Third way: this argument, of both Aristotelian and Platonic origin, is considered the foundation of all others Comments about the first three proofs The Fourth Proof This argument is of Platonic origin, but as presented by St. Thomas, is more dependent on causality than in the original Platonic exposition The Proof From Finality Teleological proof The “Third Way” Fundamental The principle of sufficient reason The reason why something exists Evaluation Of The Five Proofs Do they comply with requirements of demonstrative logic? Assessment of each proof Reading Assignment: Proof of God’s Existence. Summa Contra Gentiles, I, 9-14, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 243-256. Class 6: February 9, 2010 GOD’S NATURE The Negative Way Knowledge of God’s existence is not knowledge of his essence or nature How can we come to know a being which transcends sense experience? Quid sit vs. quod sit Via remotionis or via negative Removes or denies something to the divine substance What God is not The Affirmative Way Affirmative predication of the divine substance Perfections of creatures are known first Perfections in God exclude all imperfections and limitations of creatures Analogy Names of creatures and God not understood in univocal way—extreme formalism or realism/pantheism
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Names of creatures and God not understood in an equivocal way— nominalism/agnosticism Names of creature and God understood in an analogical way—moderate realism Types Of Analogy Analogy of proportion/attribution Analogy of proportionality/proportions A Difficulty Perfections of creatures must be found in the Creator in a super-eminent manner What is the positive content of our concept of God’s attributes? The Divine Ideas Plato’s theory of forms or ideas Plotinus’ theory of emanation of the many from the one Plurality of ideas in God or one idea in God? No Real Distinction Between The Divine Attributes God is simple—divine attributes are identical with the divine essence Justification for speaking of them as though they were distinct God As Existence Itself Qui est Boethius: How Substances are Good in Virtue of their Existence without Being Substantial Goods St. Thomas Aquinas: How are Things Good? Exposition of On the Hebdomads of Boethius Ipsum Esse Subsistens Reading Assignment: On the Divine Simplicity. Disputed Question on the Power of God, 7, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 109-141 and Platonism and Neoplatonism. Preface to Exposition of On the Divine Names, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 429-431. Class 7: February 23, 2010 CREATION Creation Out Of Nothing Contingent beings owe their existence to the necessary being It can be demonstrated philosophically that creation must be out of nothing—not out of something Creatures have a real relation to God The relation of God to creatures is a mental relation of reason alone God Alone Can Create Creation by necessity? Avicenna and intermediary beings involved in creation Peter Lombard and the communication of the power to create to creatures
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Creation demands infinite power God Created Freely How does God create? There must be a motive for creation Creatures: finite imitations of God’s being The Motive For Creation What was the motive for which God acted in creation? Goodness diffuses itself Creation points to man’s ultimate end Impossibility Of Creation From Eternity Has Not Been Demonstrated Does creation show that God created the world in time? Could God have created the world from eternity? The creative act of God is eternal since it is identical with the divine essence Are the external effects of that creative act eternal? Could God Create An Actually Infinite Multitude? St. Bonaventure and creation Infinite number of immortal human souls? Divine Omnipotence What is the sense in which the divine omnipotence is to be understood? Are there things God cannot do? Is God superior to the principle of contradiction? Could God make better things than he has made or could he make existing things better? Is this the best of all possible worlds? Why did God create this world with its suffering and evil? The Problem Of Evil Does God will evil? Evil defined Evil as such cannot be willed by a human will Sub specie boni Physical evil vs. moral evil Aquinas’ philosophical answer to the problem of evil in its relation to God Reading Assignment: On Creation. Summa Theologiae, I, 44, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 360-367. Class 8: March 2, 2010 PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN NATURE First Writing Assignment Due One Substantial Form In Man The human composite Page 16 of 25
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Different types of souls Death Rejection of the Platonic understanding of the soul The body exists for the soul The Powers Of The Soul Real distinction between the soul and its faculties and between the faculties themselves Some powers belong to the soul alone, while others belong to the composite Hierarchy of powers or faculties Cognitive and appetitive powers of man Different formal objects The Interior Senses Sensus communis Phantasia Vis aestimativa Vis memorativa Free Will How the will differs from the sensitive appetite True freedom Modern understanding of freedom Good as the object of the will Real good vs. apparent good Will vs. free will The Noblest Faculty Whether the intellect or the will is the nobler faculty Beatific Vision Immortality Does the relation of the soul to the body rule out its existence apart from the body? Subsistent form Accidental vs. substantial corruption The power of the soul to know universals The power of the soul to reflect on itself The desire of persistence in being Is the soul capable of intellectual activity when separated from the body? The Active And Passive Intellects Are Not Numerically The Same In All Men St. Thomas against the Averroists Separate active intellect—separate passive intellect Aquinas against the unicity of the active intellect Aquinas against the unicity of the passive intellect Reading Assignment: Definitions of Soul. On Aristotle’s De Anima, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 410-428.
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Class 9: March 9, 2010 EPISTEMOLOGY First Principles of Being and Knowing Speculative knowledge: the principle of contradiction Practical knowledge: do good and avoid evil Epistemology Notion The modern “critique of knowledge” Why doubt cannot be the starting point for knowledge Man first knows things not knowledge of things Four questions regarding things Theories Of Knowledge Plato: objective idealism Aristotle: moderate realism Augustine: neo-Platonic; theory of illumination Aquinas: moderate realism; understanding of abstraction/separation Descartes: subjective idealism Berkeley: esse est percipi Kant: transcendental idealism Theory Of Knowledge In St. Thomas “Problem of knowledge” for St. Thomas The Process Of Knowledge Diagram of man’s cognitive and appetitive powers Object of the senses—object of the intellect How does man move from sensitive knowledge of particulars to intellectual cognition of universals? The means of cognition Intellect knows directly the essence Human mind does not know directly singular material things Knowledge Of The Universal And Of The Particular Two explanatory remarks Abstraction from individuating matter The particular as material The Soul’s Knowledge Of Itself No innate ideas Natural object of knowledge Soul knows itself in act of abstracting intelligible species Nothing is in the intellect that has first not been in the senses The Possibility of Metaphysics Why the human mind cannot in this life attain a direct knowledge of immaterial substances Page 18 of 25
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Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
How then can we come to knowledge of God who is a pure spirit? Aquinas’ doctrine on the intellect Aristotle: all knowledge begins with the senses If the human intellect were merely passive, there could be no natural knowledge of God How can there be any positive content to our idea of God, or indeed of any spiritual object?
Reading Assignment: The Meanings of Truth. Disputed Question on Truth, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 163-192. Class 10: March 16, 2010 METAPHYSICS What Is Metaphysics? On the division of speculative sciences Degrees of abstraction Notion Being in general On the grandeur and the misery of metaphysics Being Common Real Categories Without a genus Analogy Kinds of analogy Prologue Of Aquinas’ Commentary On Aristotle’s Metaphysics The science we are seeking Wisdom the mistress of all other sciences The characteristics of the wise man: knows all, even difficult matters, with certitude and through their causes; seeks this knowledge for its own sake; and directs others and induces them to act “Most intelligible objects”: from the point of view of the order of knowing; comparing the intellect with the senses (particulars vs. Universals); the intellect’s own knowledge (separate from matter) First philosophy or metaphysics studies the three above objects, not any one of them as its subject, but only being in general Ways Of Predicating Being Apprehension of being: ens in quantum ens Conceptualization of being: ens ut primum cognitum Is physics everything? Subject Matter Of Metaphysics
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Thomistic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
What is the “subject matter” of a science? How the subject matter of metaphysics is distinct Natural science: being as changeable Mathematics: being as quantified Metaphysics: being as being Being Is Said In Many Ways Univocal and Equivocal How can there be a science that studies being given the fact beings exist in so many different ways? The Primacy Of Substance All beings are substances Substance provides the unity needed for the science that studies being as being How to give an account of substance which is not the same as natural substances Isn’t metaphysics too general? Suppositions Of Metaphysics The prime unmoved mover The incorruptibility of the human soul Now there is a reason for the science of non-physical being Transcendental Properties Characteristics of all beings “Properties” One, True, Good Principles of Being Intrinsic principles Potency and act Real distinction Essence and existence Boethius: Diversum est esse et id quod est Composition of material substances Being and essence Causality Philosophical notion of “cause” Kinds of Causes: material, formal, efficient, final, instrumental, exemplary Wisdom Metaphysics is the culmination of man’s natural knowledge Understanding Reading Assignment:
The Love of Wisdom. Exposition of Metaphysics, Preface and 1, 1-3, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, 718-743. Class 11: March 23, 2010 MORAL PHILOSOPHY Page 20 of 25
Thomistic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
Moral Philosophy vs. Moral Theology Defined Ends How ends are possessed Effort Certitude Moral Philosophy Order as normative Christian moral philosophy Divisions: ethics, economics, politics Eudaemonism Function argument of Aristotle Two distinct Aristotelian natural ends—one end with Aquinas Happy man for Aristotle is the philosopher—happy man for Aquinas is the saint Human act vs. act of a man Supernatural happiness The Moral Act Diagram of appetitive powers Three fonts of morality: intention, object, circumstances Sole determinate of the species of the moral act The Vision Of God The problem the vision of God raises in Aquinas’ moral philosophy How can supernatural knowledge of God belong to philosophy? Errors of Cajetan, de Lubac, Rahner, Suarez The natural desire to see God resides in the intellect Good And Bad Good human acts means to attainment of man’s ultimate end Bad human acts prevent the attainment of man’s ultimate end Can a human act be morally indifferent? The Virtues Virtue defined Types of natural virtues Types of supernatural virtues The rule of reason Why there are four moral virtues The Natural Law Law defined The three precepts of the natural law General precepts vs. secondary precepts The Eternal Law And The Foundation Of Morality In God Obligation
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Thomistic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
The ground of natural law Eternal law defined The moral law Natural Virtues: Aquinas Vs. Aristotle Natural virtues not foreseen by Aristotle Reading Assignment: The Virtues. Summa Theologiae, I-II, 55-57, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 653-681. Class 12: April 13, 2010 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY Aquinas And Aristotle Aristotle: state satisfied or ideally could satisfy all the needs of man Aquinas: state cannot satisfy all the needs of man Aristotle: natural end of man is self-sufficient and attained through life in the state Aquinas: the end of man is supernatural and full attained only in the next life Aristotle: two final natural ends for man, in the practical order virtue and in the speculative order contemplation of the Prime Unmoved Mover Aquinas: man has one ultimate end and it is supernatural The Natural Origin Of Human Society And Government State for both Aquinas and Aristotle is a natural institution founded on human nature Modern political philosophy: state is an artificial construct not based on man’s nature Hobbes: state of war, egoism Locke: state of freedom Rousseau: primitive savage Aristotle: man is a political animal Aristotle: the very foundation of the State is the natural sexual attraction between man and woman resulting in families which create needs they cannot fulfill—imperfect society Common good attained by a common ruling power Human Society And Political Authority Will By God Since human society and government are natural, they have a divine justification and authority State is not simply the result of sin Church And State State is an institution in its own right, with an end of its own and a sphere of its own Perfect society: possesses all means necessary for the attainment of its end End of the Church is supernatural—higher than that of the state—thus the Church is a society superior to the state State must subordinate itself to Church in matters bearing on supernatural life End of human society: good life, the virtuous life
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Thomistic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
Final end of man for Aquinas: not to live virtuously but by living virtuously to attain the Beatific Vision Individual And State Subordination of the individual to the state? The individual and the law Law Four kinds of law: eternal, natural, divine positive law, human positive law Diagrams of the relationship between the different kinds of law Primary function of the legislator: defining or making explicit the natural law by applying it to particular cases and making it effective All authority comes from God Unjust laws Sovereignty Sovereignty given by God to the people as a whole who delegate it to actual rulers? Abuse of power makes ruler a tyrant Deposition of a tyrant is legitimate under certain conditions Best constitution is a “mixed” constitution in which some place is given to aristocracy and democracy Forms of Government Aquinas follows Aristotle on the different types of political regimes Different political regimes according to Aristotle For Aquinas the precise form of decent government is not important as long as it promotes the common good God has not mandated any form of government Aquinas’ Political Theory Is An Integral Part Of His Philosophy For Thomas political philosophy is not something added on Right of any creature to direct another is founded on reason Legal justice (equity and common legal justice), particular justice (distributive and commutative), social justice (legal justice plus distributive justice) Schematic representation of the basic forms of justice Forms of government may change, but human nature is fixed State is neither God nor Antichrist Rights Rights are not based on radical indeterminism Rights according to St. Thomas Aquinas: means to fulfill obligations Natural rights Hierarchy of rights Criteria For A Just War Proper authority Just cause Right intention
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Thomistic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
Reading Assignment: On Law and Natural Law. Summa Theologiae, I-II, 90-94, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 611-651. Class 13: April 20, 2010 Epilogue Aquinas’ Utilization of Aristotle Why a full reconciliation of the Aristotelian system with Christian theology was desirable Philosophical influences on St. Thomas Examples of Aquinas’ utilization of Aristotle Aquinas and the so-called “errors of Aristotle” Non-Aristotelian Elements In Thomism Aristotle’s god vs. Thomas’ God as efficient and final cause vs. final cause only God the Creator vs. a multiplicity of unmoved movers Divine ideas vs. no exemplary ideas Supernatural end of man (Beatific Vision) vs. natural end of man (metaphysical contemplation of the first cause) Church needed to perfect whole man vs. State only Examples of how Thomas’ faith effected his philosophy Latent Tensions In The Thomist Synthesis Aristotle: the universal and the totality really matter not the individual as such Aquinas: each human being is more valuable than the whole material universe Aristotelianism: a closed system Aquinas: an open system—faith reveals to reason truths it cannot know on its own and purges reason of certain errors Opposition To Thomistic “Novelties” Background: Averroism Unicity of substantial form, passivity of matter, simplicity of angels Condemnations of 1277: Paris and Oxford Dominican to the rescue Pope Leo XIII Encyclical Letter Aeterni Patris The Universal or Common Doctor of the Church The Twenty-Four Fundamental Theses Of Thomistic Philosophy Comparison of Aquinas with other philosophers The Formal Object of Philosophy The Role of Philosophy The Foundation of Philosophy Moderate Realism Hylomorphism Human knowledge Knowledge of God Page 24 of 25
Thomistic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
The Ethics of Happiness or the Sovereign Good
Reading Assignment: On the Teacher. Disputed Question on Truth, 11 from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 194-216. Class 14: April 27, 2010 Second Writing Assignment Due Review for Final Examination Reading Assignment: None. Class 15: May 4, 2010 Final Examination 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm—Credit Students Only
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