Medieval Philosophy Elaborating Faith: Thomistic Metaphysics and Ethics (AP9121C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 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: AP9121C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Philosophy

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

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

Critically compare and contrast the position of Aquinas (and the various interpretations of Aquinas) from the positions of later Thomists on metaphysics and ethics
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.

Assess the degree to which the metaphysics and ethics of Aquinas have continuing validity and viability as a contemporary system of thought;
6.

Define, plan and undertake a topic of research in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner

Unit sequence

One foundational unit of Philosophy

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.
  • 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.
  • McCool, Gerald. A. From Unity to Pluralism: The Internal Evolution of Thomism. New York: Fordham University Press, 1989.
  • 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

Skeleton Argument

Skeleton argument

 1000 10.0
Essay

6,000-word essay

 6000 90.0

Variant 2

Skeleton Argument

Skeleton argument for the 4000 word essay

 1000 10.0
Essay

4000-word essay

 4000 50.0
Written Examination

2-hour written examination (2000 words)

 2000 40.0

Variant 3

Skeleton Argument

Skeleton argument

 1000 10.0
Essay

2000-word essay

 2000 40.0
Essay

4000-word essay

 4000 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 15:25:58 +1000