Thomistic Philosophy

Thomistic PhilosophyCourse SyllabusSpring 2010

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)

e-mail:

richardcc01@bellsouth.net[337] 896-6050, ext. 227 (work)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 XIIIs 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. 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. ThomasMethod 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 AquinasSelected 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. Augustines 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 Edification

The Thought of Thomas Aquinas, by Brian Davies, published by Clarendon Press, Oxford. 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 ReaderSelections from the Writings of Thomas Aquinas, edited, with and introduction by Mary T. Clark, Fordham University Press, New York.

Preambula FideiThomism and the God of the Philosophers, by Ralph McInerny, published by The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C. Aquinas Against the AverroistsOn 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. Augustines Press, South Bend, Indiana.

Faith, Reason and TheologyQuestions 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 MetaphysicsSeven 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 SciencesQuestions 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 RatioOn Faith and Reason, Pope John Paul II. This can be downloaded from the Vatican website free of charge. [http://www.vatican.vaclick on the papal archives button on the home page]

A Students Guide to Philosophy, by Ralph M. McInerny, published by Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Wilmington, Delaware.

Major Works of St. Thomas Aquinas: Commentary on Aristotles Metaphysics

Commentary on Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics

Commentary on Aristotles On Interpretation

Commentary on Aristotles Posterior Analytics

Commentary on Aristotles On the Soul

Commentary on Aristotles Physics

Commentary on Aristotles Politics

Compendium TheologiaeThe Compendium of Theology De AnimaOn the Soul

De Ente et EssentiaOn Being and Essence

Disputed Question on the Cardinal Virtues

Disputed Question on the Virtues in General

De MaloOn Evil

De PotentiaOn The Power of God

De Spiritualibus CreaturisOn Spiritual Creatures

De VeritateOn Truth Faith, Reason, and Theology

On The Unity of the Intellect Against the Averroists

Summa Contra GentilesSumma of Christian Teaching Summa TheologiaeSumma 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. DArcy, 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 1The Person and His Work, Volume 2Spiritual Master. Jean-Pierre Torrell, O.P.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Volume 2. The Dumb OxThe 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 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 Instructorleaving 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.

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 1 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 civilizede.g., womenno halter tops, plunging necklines, sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, cutoffs, etc.;e.g., menno 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.

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 GradeThe credit students 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 students 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 IIs 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?

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 Aristotles argument for an ultimate end: Commentary on Aristotles 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 Aristotles 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

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 CourseCourse 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

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 AquinasLife 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 Procluss 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 Liturgical Pieces and Sermons: Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi, Lenten Cycle Sermons, Various PrayersMedieval Education

From Liberal Arts to the University

The Structure of the University

Thomass Polemics against the Latin AverroistsMode of Exposing St. Thomas Philosophy

Thomistic system? Divergences of interpretationThe 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 finalReading Assignment:How are Things Good? Exposition of On the Hebdomads of Boethius, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 142-162.

Class 3: January 19, 2010Philosophy And Theology According to St. Thomas AquinasDistinction Between Philosophy And Theology

Diagram Differences: end, how each end is possessed, effort, certainty Pope John Paul II Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio: current problemsMoral Necessity Of Revelation

Goal of philosophy

Summa theologiae, I, q. 1., a. 1Incompatibility 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

Faith and reason

God and creation

Theory of being

Man

Moral philosophy

Political theoryReading Assignment:Theology, Faith and Reason. On Boethius On the Trinity, 1-2 from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 109-141.Class 4: January 26, 2010Principles Of Limited BeingReasons 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 thingsHylomorphism

The nature of material substances

Aristotelian categories

Accidental vs. substantial changeThe Physical or Natural ThingThe Basic Vocabulary Act and potency Accident and substance

Form and matter

Being and becomingRejection Of Rationes Seminales St. Augustines 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

Potentiality And Act Matter/form vs. potency/act

Reduction of potentiality to act requires a principle which is itself in act

Aristotles 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 actReading Assignment:On the Principles of Nature, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 18-29.Class 5: February 2, 2010Proofs Of Gods ExistenceNeed Of Proof

Idea of Gods 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. Anselms Argument

The ontological or a priori proof of Gods 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 GodPossibility Of Proof

A posteriori arguments of Gods existence

Examination of Gods 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 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 proofsThe Fourth Proof

This argument is of Platonic origin, but as presented by St. Thomas, is more dependent on causality than in the original Platonic expositionThe Proof From Finality

Teleological proofThe 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 proofReading Assignment:Proof of Gods Existence. Summa Contra Gentiles, I, 9-14, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 243-256.Class 6: February 9, 2010Gods NatureThe Negative Way

Knowledge of Gods 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 notThe Affirmative Way

Affirmative predication of the divine substance

Perfections of creatures are known first

Perfections in God exclude all imperfections and limitations of creaturesAnalogy

Names of creatures and God not understood in univocal wayextreme formalism or realism/pantheism Names of creatures and God not understood in an equivocal waynominalism/agnosticism

Names of creature and God understood in an analogical waymoderate realismTypes Of Analogy

Analogy of proportion/attribution Analogy of proportionality/proportionsA Difficulty

Perfections of creatures must be found in the Creator in a super-eminent manner

What is the positive content of our concept of Gods attributes?The Divine Ideas

Platos 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 simpledivine attributes are identical with the divine essence

Justification for speaking of them as though they were distinctGod 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 SubsistensReading 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, 2010CreationCreation Out Of Nothing

Contingent beings owe their existence to the necessary being

It can be demonstrated philosophically that creation must be out of nothingnot out of something

Creatures have a real relation to God

The relation of God to creatures is a mental relation of reason aloneGod 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

Creation demands infinite power

God Created Freely

How does God create?

There must be a motive for creation

Creatures: finite imitations of Gods beingThe Motive For Creation What was the motive for which God acted in creation?

Goodness diffuses itself

Creation points to mans ultimate endImpossibility 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, 2010Philosophy Of Human NatureFirst Writing Assignment Due

One Substantial Form In Man The human composite

Different types of souls

Death

Rejection of the Platonic understanding of the soul

The body exists for the soulThe 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 memorativaFree 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 willThe Noblest Faculty Whether the intellect or the will is the nobler faculty

Beatific VisionImmortality 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 intellectseparate passive intellect

Aquinas against the unicity of the active intellect

Aquinas against the unicity of the passive intellect

Reading Assignment:Definitions of Soul. On Aristotles De Anima, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 410-428.Class 9: March 9, 2010EpistemologyFirst 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 thingsTheories 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 idealismTheory Of Knowledge In St. Thomas Problem of knowledge for St. ThomasThe Process Of Knowledge

Diagram of mans cognitive and appetitive powers

Object of the sensesobject 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 materialThe Souls 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 sensesThe Possibility of Metaphysics Why the human mind cannot in this life attain a direct knowledge of immaterial substances 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, 2010MetaphysicsWhat Is Metaphysics?

On the division of speculative sciences Degrees of abstraction Notion Being in general On the grandeur and the misery of metaphysicsBeing

Common

Real

Categories

Without a genus

Analogy

Kinds of analogyPrologue Of Aquinas Commentary On Aristotles 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 intellects 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 generalWays Of Predicating Being Apprehension of being: ens in quantum ens Conceptualization of being: ens ut primum cognitum Is physics everything?

Subject Matter Of Metaphysics

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 beingBeing 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 Isnt 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 beingTranscendental 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 essenceCausality

Philosophical notion of cause Kinds of Causes: material, formal, efficient, final, instrumental, exemplaryWisdom Metaphysics is the culmination of mans natural knowledge

UnderstandingReading Assignment:The Love of Wisdom. Exposition of Metaphysics, Preface and 1, 1-3, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, 718-743.Class 11: March 23, 2010Moral Philosophy

Moral Philosophy vs. Moral Theology

Defined Ends How ends are possessed Effort CertitudeMoral Philosophy

Order as normative

Christian moral philosophy

Divisions: ethics, economics, politicsEudaemonism

Function argument of Aristotle

Two distinct Aristotelian natural endsone end with Aquinas Happy man for Aristotle is the philosopherhappy 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 actThe 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 intellectGood And Bad

Good human acts means to attainment of mans ultimate end

Bad human acts prevent the attainment of mans 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 virtuesThe Natural Law Law defined

The three precepts of the natural law

General precepts vs. secondary preceptsThe Eternal Law And The Foundation Of Morality In God

Obligation

The ground of natural law

Eternal law defined

The moral lawNatural Virtues: Aquinas Vs. Aristotle

Natural virtues not foreseen by AristotleReading Assignment:The Virtues. Summa Theologiae, I-II, 55-57, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 653-681.Class 12: April 13, 2010Political PhilosophyAquinas 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 mans 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 fulfillimperfect society Common good attained by a common ruling powerHuman 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 supernaturalhigher than that of the statethus 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

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 lawLaw

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 democracyForms 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 governmentAquinas 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 intentionReading Assignment:On Law and Natural Law. Summa Theologiae, I-II, 90-94, from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 611-651.Class 13: April 20, 2010EpilogueAquinas 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 AristotleNon-Aristotelian Elements In Thomism Aristotles 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 systemfaith reveals to reason truths it cannot know on its own and purges reason of certain errorsOpposition 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 PhilosophyComparison 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 The Ethics of Happiness or the Sovereign GoodReading Assignment:On the Teacher. Disputed Question on Truth, 11 from Thomas Aquinas Selected Writings, pp. 194-216.Class 14: April 27, 2010Second Writing Assignment Due

Review for Final Examination

Reading Assignment:None.Class 15: May 4, 2010Final Examination 6:00 pm to 9:00 pmCredit Students Only Some of the below texts may be out of print but can be obtained from used book dealers such as Preserving Christian Publications at HYPERLINK "http://www.pepbooks.com/" http://www.pepbooks.com or Book Finder at http://www.bookfinder.com.

The Latin word Summa generally means on the whole.

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