Another professor would show you a line from Decartes to western civilization.
But I was less focused on the nature of the person than on the 5 ways.
An interesting aside: consider the changes in philosophy, mathematics, science and technology from the time of Aristotle to the time of Aquinas, and then again from Aquinas till now…
Definitely, there is a line from Descartes to western civilization especially in animal rights issues. My link to a paper by an English leader in animal rights was broken probably due to the fact that the paper now appears in one of his books.
If I knew more about Descartes, I would be able to find more lines.
My bias is the nature of the person because without this specific, unique, peerless nature, the five ways could not have been developed. Also, one can reason by self reflection and logic to the existence of some kind of transcendent being or beings. Some of the modern intellectuals do not appear to be comfortable with the amazing abilities of their own nature so they depend on the findings of natural science.
Aquinas is comfortable in his own skin though I am sure he worked up a sweat trying to put his brain power down on paper. Since he understood human nature, he was free to search out answers to his curiosity about both the material realm and the spiritual realm. My book points out some of his naive and off the mark ideas regarding the material operations of the universe. But, seriously, what do comments about science have to do with the existence of God?
I love to look at the changes in philosophy, mathematics, science, and technology. When I was working in public relations, the way we got a news breaking story to the media was to call a taxi.
Changes in anything are not all peas in a pod. Changes can be good/bad; major/minor; permanent/transient; develop/discard. Aquinas grappled with changes he knew he had to make to some previous philosophical concepts going back to Aristotle.
I would guess that it is Descartes and friends who would be responsible for setting off the chain reaction of modern changes. Not all of them good according to the Englishman who seeks better treatment of animals. The declaration “God is dead” is the biggest change. And is God really dead? There is some innate sense of the spiritual within human nature which seeks answers to questions about God. Thus, one turns back to the master teacher whose basic reasoning is paramount when it comes to God’s existence. Is God dead? No. Is Thomism dead? Definitely not for those who seek deep answers, and not the frills or someone’s personal bias.
Blessings,
granny
All persons are sacred because each is an unique person formed by a loving Creator.
