Medieval Philosophy Elaborating Faith: Thomistic Metaphysics and Ethics (AP3121C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit explores the thought of the medieval philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225–74), with a focus on his ethics and his metaphysics. It is suitable as an introduction both to medieval philosophy and to the main elements of Thomistic thought. The unit examines selected themes in Aquinas in their medieval context, in the context of Aquinas’ own thought, and in the context of the later history of Thomism. The unit introduces some key Thomistic doctrines and the fundamental concepts of Thomistic philosophy, in addition to ‘patterns of thought’ that are distinctively Thomistic. Topics covered may include: metaphysics and the real distinction of being and esse, virtue theory, natural law, cosmology and the perfection of the universe, the human soul and immortality.

Unit code: AP3121C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Philosophy

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Explain the core theories of Aquinas taught in the unit; for example, the metaphysics of esse, virtue theory, natural law theory
2.

Critically explain a justified view of the degree of coherence of Aquinas’ theories in relation to the basic recurring principles in Thomistic thought
3.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Aquinas’ theories of metaphysics and ethics
4.

Appraise Aquinas’ positions on metaphysics and ethics in their medieval context, and their place in Aquinas’ thought as a whole
5.

Reflect on the degree to which the metaphysics and ethics of Aquinas have continuing validity and viability as a contemporary system of thought

Unit sequence

36 points of philosophy at second level

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Blanchette, Oliva. The Perfection of the Universe According to Aquinas: A Teleological Cosmology. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University, 1992.
  • Boyle, Leonard E. Facing History: A Different Thomas Aquinas. Louvain-La-Neuve: Federation Internationale des Instituts d'Etudes Medievales, 2000.
  • Davies, Brian. Aquinas. London: Continuum, 2002.
  • Hause, Jeffrey, and Claudia Eisen Murphy, trans. Thomas Aquinas: Disputed Questions on Virtue. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2010.
  • Jordan, Mark D. Rewritten Theology: Aquinas After his Readers. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2006.
  • Kerr, Fergus. Contemplating Aquinas: On the Varieties of Interpretation. London: SCM Press, 2003.
  • Pope, Stephen J. The Ethics of Aquinas. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2002.
  • Rziha, John. Perfecting Human Actions: St. Thomas Aquinas on Human Participation in Eternal Law. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2009.
  • Te Velde, Rudi A. Participation and Substantiality in Thomas Aquinas. Leiden; New York: E.J. Brill, 1995.
  • Wippel, John F. The Metaphysical Thought of Thomas Aquinas: From Finite Being to Uncreated Being. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2000.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Essay

2,500 word essay

 2500 50.0
Written Examination

2-hour written exam

 2000 50.0

Variant 2

Essay

2500-word essay

 2500 50.0
Report

Three short reports due throughout the semester.

 2000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 16 Aug, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-08-16 15:16:40 +1000