Kategoriarkiv: Summa theologica

Anonymous Christians?

Thomas discusses the old problem of how those born before Christ could be saved through faith in him. Thomas answer is a bit surprising, I have to say: If, however, some were saved without receiving any revelation, they were not … Fortsätt läsa

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Faith and Science

Ok, finished the I-II, on with the II-II and the virtues! Faith first, of which Thomas has this very interesting thing to say: Q 2,4. It is necessary for man to accept by faith not only things which are above … Fortsätt läsa

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Preparing for Grace

A lot of pointless debates could have been avoided if people had read Thomas more carefully. I.e. on in what sense humans can do something to prepare to accept grace. This seems to be exactly right to me: As stated … Fortsätt läsa

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The Root of All Sins

It has been a long time since I posted anything on Thomas, though I do keep reading a questio a day. A real pearl today, I think (I-IIQ84:1): According to some, covetousness may be understood in different ways. First, as … Fortsätt läsa

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The poverty of modern psychology

Having finished what could be called Thomas psychology (questions 6 to 17 of the Ia IIae) one can only wonder at how we got from this extremely detailed analysis of the way the human souls functions, how decisions are made … Fortsätt läsa

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Can we do something to be happy? – on merit

This I find interesting. Thomas discusses ”Whether Any Good Works Are Necessary That Man May Receive Happiness from God?” (Q5, 7). Since Happiness is the ultimate goal of all human beings, this is more or less the reformation question of … Fortsätt läsa

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What is necessary for happiness

In questio 4 of the I-II, Thomas discusses what is necessary for happiness. Again the distinction between perfect happiness (the vision of God) and imperfect happiness is central. Clearly this is a risky strategy, since anything that is necassary merely … Fortsätt läsa

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What happiness is

Happiness is the fulfillment of desire, thus perfect happiness is the perfect fullfillment of the highest desire, that is the desire for God, or more exactly: ”The Vision of the Divine Essence”. Since happiness of this kind is eschatological the … Fortsätt läsa

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What happiness isn’t

I have finally come around to start reading the Summa Theologica again, starting now with the Prima Secundae. I try to read a questio per day more or less, which is rather a slow tempo but doable. The second questio … Fortsätt läsa

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Beware of little old ladies – Finishing the Prima pars

Having taken a break in my reading of Thomas over the summer (no bus rides to work!) I last week finished the Prima Pars, also the first volume in my edition of ST. The three of you that read this … Fortsätt läsa

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