St. Thomas Aquinas: Philosophy, Faith, and Reason
Item 7: Scholastic Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas
1. Socio-Historical Context
He lived in the thirteenth century, when the Papacy became the main Western power, above the empire. Yet the imperial comes from God, so he’s rebelling against God.
2. Relationship Between Faith and Reason
Thomas says that original sin weakened humanity, so he needs divine grace (the gift that God gives you access to the faith) for salvation and to perfect human nature. Faith and reason do not vanish, but working together,
Read MoreDescartes’ Cogito: The Foundation of Knowledge
The Cogito: The First Truth
The cogito is the first truth in the order of knowledge, and in two respects: firstly, it is the first truth that we obtain when we employ methodical doubt, and secondly, because from it, we can substantiate all others. It becomes the basic axiom from which all philosophy developed as a knowledge system.
Clarifications on “I Think, Therefore I Exist”
In connection with the famous phrase “I think, therefore I exist,” the following clarifications are essential:
1. The Cogito
Read MoreKant’s Philosophy: Enlightenment, Reason, and Ethics
Frame: The Eighteenth Century Context
Immanuel Kant lived in the eighteenth century, coinciding with U.S. independence, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. These changes were linked to capitalism and the consolidation of political and social advancement of the bourgeoisie, which set a new cultural model: the Enlightenment. Kant described the Enlightenment as the mental attitude in which man decides to leave his minority, using his unaided reason.
In this era, political despotism
Read MoreKant’s Metaphysics: A Critical Rationalist Revolution
The issue is so fundamental that Kantian metaphysics has not yet found the sure path of science, despite being the most important matter for human beings. It is important to remember that metaphysical questions have always been present. Kant was very much influenced by the development of science; therefore, he wondered what happens to reason when one part cannot avoid thinking about metaphysical issues, and another part lacks a scientific explanation for them.
Why does Kant believe that criticism
Read MoreUnderstanding Moral Responsibility: Principles and Applications
Defining Moral Responsibility
Moral responsibility stems from an individual’s commitment to moral obligations, adhering to a code of values and standards to enhance human dignity. It signifies the need to respond for one’s actions and their consequences. Individuals are morally responsible for the type of person they become. Those who do not assume moral responsibility may face social or ethical repercussions. The degree of moral responsibility depends on the individual’s awareness of the aims, means,
Read MoreEthics and Politics: A Framework for Citizen Welfare
The reflection on ethics and politics are closely linked, as both seek the same goal: the welfare and happiness of citizens. Political activity is subject to ethics. Those who claim primacy of ethics over politics argue that political activity should follow the dictates of the moral system. Ethics provide guidance and criteria for politics.
Two Basic Attitudes:
There are two basic attitudes:
- Rejection of political activity. An example is the Epicurean philosophy, which states that political activity