St. Thomas Aquinas: Philosophy, Theology, and the Five Ways
St. Thomas Aquinas: A Synthesis of Philosophy and Theology
St. Thomas Aquinas made significant contributions to philosophy and theology by synthesizing previous philosophical thought. His greatest achievement was incorporating ideas from Aristotle, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim thinkers. His work is essential reading for philosophers from the Middle Ages to the present. Aquinas dedicated his life to religious service as a Dominican monk and to tireless study and teaching.
The Existence of God: Natural
Read MoreUnderstanding German Idealism and Neoplatonism
German Idealism
German Idealism: A philosophical system which holds that the being of things resides in consciousness. The precursor to idealism is Descartes, along with other idealistic rationalists, and Kant (transcendental idealism).
German Idealism is a unique intellectual movement that developed in Germany towards the end of the eighteenth century and throughout much of the nineteenth century. Its key figures are Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel. It is characterized by radical idealism, phasing out
Read MoreKant and Marx: Key Philosophies and Political Thought
The Practical Use of Reason
The practical use of reason must answer the second question of philosophy.
Kantian Formalism: The Categorical Imperative
Kant was the first philosopher who drew a formal ethics, considering earlier ethics (material) inadequate. Material ethics have a content based on something considered a supreme good and ultimate end for human beings.
Formal ethics is an ethics without content aimed at establishing the form that actions must hold. According to Kant, in determining the moral
Read MoreSubjective vs. Objective Meaning of Life
Richard Taylor: Meaning Comes from Within
Richard Taylor claims: “The meaning of life is from within us, it is not bestowed from without, and it far exceeds in both its beauty and permanence any heaven of which men have ever dreamed or yearned for.”
There is no objective meaning to human life because objectivity rejects personal interest or beliefs. Taylor implies that life has meaning under a subjective perspective; value or meaningfulness is met when activities are paired with our will. Hence,
Read MoreSt. Augustine: Philosophy, Faith, and History
Historical Context of St. Augustine
After Alexander the Great’s death, Hellenism emerged, leading to the decline of the Polis and the rise of Stoicism and Epicureanism. The concept of man changed from zoon politikon (a political animal within the city-state) to zoon koinonikos (a social animal of humanity), a citizen of the world. Individuals sought security and happiness. Consequently, moralist schools like Stoicism and Epicureanism (fundamentally important) arose, offering answers to the meaning
Read MoreHuman Evolution and the Uniqueness of Logos
The Nature of Knowledge
The possibility of knowledge is subject to debate. There are six major types of responses:
- Dogmatism: The belief that certain knowledge is attainable.
- Skepticism: The belief that it is impossible to acquire reliable knowledge, as there is never enough evidence to consider something true.
- Subjectivism and Relativism:
- Subjectivism: What is true depends on each individual.
- Relativism: What is considered true or false depends on the culture, time, or group.
- Pragmatism: Identifies truth