Intro to Thomistic Principles

1. The Science of Theology

Science is an organized body of knowledge developed to understand a given subject I.e Biology, ethics, metaphysics.

Can we consider Christian theology as a science as well? Aquinas does affirm that theology properly speaking is a science, it's a study of the inner intelligibility of the mystery of God revealed in Christ through the Church. He also notes, however, that it differs significantly from other sciences, because theologies principles are not derived from evidential knowledge, they are given vertically, through Divine revelation by God. So the core truths are known by revelation but not by natural demonstration or philosophical argument. Christian theology is a science, but its a science made possible by grace.

Theology does not compete with the spiritual life, they are complementary avenues through which we gain a better understanding of who God is and how we can serve Him better.

2. The Principle of Non-Contradiction

It is impossible for something to be and not be at the same time and in the same respect.

This is an axiom or first-principle of metaphysics, which is the science of being. It underlies all disciplines and all investigations. Reality is self-consistent. Humans can understand objective truths about reality as a whole.

3. Argument and Dialectic

Dialectic was codified by Aristotle to solve puzzles about truth. We can find this format in Aquinas' writing:

1. Pose a question (Premise)
2. Confront puzzles and difficulties (Objections)
3. Draw distinctions to cultivate insights (Sed contra, Corpus)
4. Address original difficulties (Replies to objections)

4. Being and Metaphysics

Metaphysics: What is ultimately real? How do we explain what the world consists of?

Aquinas defining metaphysics: It's object of of study is the causes of existence in things, why do things exist?

In metaphysics we consider the following about the beings of this world:

• Nature
• Properties
• Material Constitution
• Changes
• Contingencies
• Relations

5. Act and Potency

A pot of water on the stove is actually cold and potentially hot, but once it is on a hot burner for some time, the potentiality to be hot becomes actualized. And when the water is actually hot, it is potentially cold. All things in nature are a blend of act and potency. Change consists of the actualization of the potentiality latent within the things of nature.

Why does the potentiality of things become actual? There must be some ultimate source of change, which must be completely actual and not have any potentiality in it, but it is responsible for the realization of potentiality in everything else. This source is the unmoved mover, or God.

6. Form and Matter

Things have essences/natures/forms which make them to be what they are. Particular things are composed of matter, matter is not just atoms or particles, instead, matter is the universal substratum (underlying layer) of pure potentiality that does not exist on its own, except in union with a form. All the things of nature are composed of matter and form, which is called hylomorphism.

The form of a thing is its act. The matter of a thing is its potency.

7. Essence and Existence