Aquinas in Secular Universities?

[Geremia]

Why is St. Thomas rarely taught in secular universities? E.g., my state university apparently has a very good philosophy department, yet St. Thomas’s name only appears in the course description of a 200-level undergrad general education class. There is a medieval philosophy graduate course, but they don’t cover St. Thomas. Why is this? Is it because most philosophers think St. Thomas relies too much on knowledge afforded by the Catholic faith? Thanks

It’s a simple question, but will probably require an in-depth answer. I am considering studying graduate-level philosophy there, but the people I have talked to do not share my enthusiasm for St. Thomas. One professor wrote an article on Aquinas’s abstractionism, and he agreed that St. Thomas’s style and logic is very beautiful, but he seemed to think Thomism no longer applies to current problems. Why is that? Thanks

 

[FCCopleston]

Why is St. Thomas rarely taught in secular universities? E.g., my state university apparently has a very good philosophy department, yet St. Thomas’s name only appears in the course description of a 200-level undergrad general education class. There is a medieval philosophy graduate course, but they don’t cover St. Thomas. Why is this? Is it because most philosophers think St. Thomas relies too much on knowledge afforded by the Catholic faith? Thanks

It’s a simple question, but will probably require an in-depth answer. I am considering studying graduate-level philosophy there, but the people I have talked to do not share my enthusiasm for St. Thomas. One professor wrote an article on Aquinas’s abstractionism, and he agreed that St. Thomas’s style and logic is very beautiful, but he seemed to think Thomism no longer applies to current problems. Why is that? Thanks

Unfortunately, St. Thomas is often labeled as “irrelevant” by modern philosophy–mostly because of the fact that modern philosophy does not understand him. This is due primarily to either an unwillingness or inability to understand or appreciate Aquinas’ underlying metaphysical presuppositions. Therefore, without this context, modern philosophy imports its own metaphysical assumptions into the writings of Aquinas (assumptions which Aquinas would never grant), making his arguments both less appealing and less convincing. If you are interested, Edward Feser has recently written a great book on Aquinas that touches this very issue.

In Christ,
FCCopleston

 

[awatkins69]

Most contemporary philosophers consider *all *past philosophers to be for the most part irrelevant, save maybe in a history of philosophy class. *Especially *medieval philosophy. It’s quite stupid.

Still, there are a few people who see the value in Aquinas. May I ask where you are located? Because there are a few universities with Thomists around. Are you planning on studying only locally?

 

[Geremia]

Unfortunately, St. Thomas is often labeled as “irrelevant” by modern philosophy–mostly because of the fact that modern philosophy does not understand him. This is due primarily to either an unwillingness or inability to understand or appreciate Aquinas’ underlying metaphysical presuppositions.

Yes, the philosopher I mentioned in the OP thought Aquinas was merely a psychologist. That limits him greatly.

Therefore, without this context, modern philosophy imports its own metaphysical assumptions into the writings of Aquinas (assumptions which Aquinas would never grant), making his arguments both less appealing and less convincing. If you are interested, Edward Feser has recently written a great book on Aquinas that touches this very issue.

I never knew Feser’s book touched this issue specifically. Thank you

 

[valentino]

Geramia: I would say if your agenda is one that is trying to discover truth through the sciences then anyone who says he believes God is the creator of all things would be ignored.They dont discuss where he might be wrong they dont discuss him at all.Realism is the dominate thought in our secular world today.God has been slowly replaced.Its not because Aquinas was Catholic.Aquinas was proving that God was a logical idea.

 

[Geremia]

Geramia: I would say if your agenda is one that is trying to discover truth through the sciences then anyone who says he believes God is the creator of all things would be ignored.They dont discuss where he might be wrong they dont discuss him at all.Realism is the dominate thought in our secular world today.God has been slowly replaced.Its not because Aquinas was Catholic.Aquinas was proving that God was a logical idea.

Amen! You speak such truth! Thank you for the encouragement

 

[punkforchrist]

At the state school I went to, I was taught Medieval Philosophy by a very knowledgeable Jewish professor. The focus was primarily on St. Augustine and St. Thomas, but it extended to Avicenna, al-Ghazali, and Maimonides. I think we’re seeing an increasingly positive view of these natural theologians at the university level. Their influence is not even contestable, and the university has witnessed a resurgence of theistic philosophy in the past thirty years. It will take time for this influence to reach its peak and to positively influence our students. But, we have reason to be optimistic about the current state of academia.

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

At the state school I went to, I was taught Medieval Philosophy by a very knowledgeable Jewish professor. The focus was primarily on St. Augustine and St. Thomas, but it extended to Avicenna, al-Ghazali, and Maimonides. I think we’re seeing an increasingly positive view of these natural theologians at the university level. Their influence is not even contestable, and the university has witnessed a resurgence of theistic philosophy in the past thirty years. It will take time for this influence to reach its peak and to positively influence our students. But, we have reason to be optimistic about the current state of academia.

Very encouraging news.