Saint Thomas Aquinas: Philosophy and Key Concepts
Saint Thomas Aquinas: A Philosophical Journey
Knowledge
Knowledge aims to discover what is true, necessary, and universal. However, we only have the ability to discover content through our senses and reason. The origin of knowledge lies in the senses, while truth is found in reason. To know is to separate the universal things through the process of abstraction. The steps of knowledge are: senses, imagination, intellect, and understanding, as patient as possible. Our faculty of knowledge comes into contact with the sensible and makes it intelligible. Saint Thomas also stated that he believed knowledge could demonstrate the existence of God. He addresses the relationship between the level of knowledge and faith, considering the correlation between them.
Metaphysics
In metaphysics, true reality resides in substance: that which exists in and of itself. This is explained by the concept of analogy, which can be interpreted in many ways, indicating that there are multiple ways of being, such as being a substance, being in power and act, etc. This is further elaborated by the Hylomorphism theory, which explains movement while preserving the logical contradiction it presents. Saint Thomas posits that substance is composed of matter and form; raw material remains constant while forms change, thus explaining all types of transformations. The maximum is to be pure act because, first of all, being. Saint Thomas incorporates the interpretation of substance from the notions of essence and existence. Besides, things must exist; otherwise, they would remain in essence. He establishes a radical difference between God in himself.
Ethics
Ethics, in this context, is hedonistic, meaning that the ultimate goal of humanity is happiness, the greatest good. Pleasure, honor, and riches are significant assets but contribute to happiness. Happiness is attained through acquired habit and voluntary action. The most crucial virtue is prudence, which is the ability to discern and deliberate. Ethical virtues aid in achieving the human average. Moral intellectualism is tempered by the importance of will in choosing our actions. Saint Thomas also described ethics as theological from natural law, asserting that humans inherently tend towards good. Freedom of choice pertains not to the end but to the means of achieving it. Virtues are habits that facilitate the attainment of good. Human behavior is governed by natural law, manifested in their natural tendencies. Positive law is an extension of natural law.
Anthropology
In anthropology, humans are considered a unique substance composed of body and soul. The soul is the principle of life, the actualization of an organized body designed for living. It is the principle of motion in a body with the potential for life. Saint Thomas adds that the soul enables life, making it purely intellectual, spiritual, and immortal. It possesses intellect and will. Other reasons supporting the soul’s immortality include its capacity to know all beings, its ability to reflect upon itself, and the notion that desire cannot be in vain, especially since humans perpetually desire more.
Politics
In politics, humans are inherently social beings, political animals. This is evidenced by their possession of the gift of speech. Humans naturally form groups: families, villages, and states. Education fosters a balance between individuals and society. The ethical virtue of justice, understood as the readiness to act according to law, is paramount. Saint Thomas further asserts that the state is a perfect society because it possesses the means to achieve its goal: the common good. The Church seeks a higher purpose than the state. State sovereignty is limited by natural law and the common good.