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Aquinas's nuanced theory of truth emphasizes different contexts, challenging simplistic views and highlighting complexities in art and logic.
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Aquinas's Theory of Truth: Exegetical and Systematic Goals
The discussion delves into Aquinas's nuanced theory of truth, aiming to refine the standard understanding that positions him solely as a correspondence theorist. An exegetical goal is set to present Aquinas's view accurately, while a systematic goal seeks to unravel implications of his thoughts on truth as it relates to art, logic, and nature. This approach advocates for a superior understanding that acknowledges the subtleties within Aquinas's perspective, transcending simplistic labels. As a deeper exploration unfolds, listeners are urged to recognize the hierarchical nature of the claims regarding Aquinas's thoughts, which warrants thoughtful examination.
Layers of Nuance in Aquinas's Account of Truth
Aquinas introduces multiple layers of nuance in his theory of truth, beginning with a primary and secondary sense of truth, highlighting how truth manifests differently in different contexts. For example, while the primary truth resides in the intellect, secondary truth relates to external things. The second layer distinguishes between practical and speculative thinking, indicating that practical intellect can actively shape reality, whereas speculative intellect is informed by external reality. These complexities lead to different definitions of truth depending on the context, emphasizing an intricate relationship between intellect and reality.
Implications for Art and Logic in Truth Theory
The conversation extends to provocative implications of Aquinas's theory of truth within art and logic, particularly regarding the law of excluded middle. It suggests that in the realm of artificial objects, the truth can be undetermined if the creator's intention is not clearly defined or executed. For instance, when restoring a statue, the determination of true colors hinges on the original intent of the artist. Consequently, if a definitive purpose is absent, evaluations of truth may become ambiguous, prompting a rethink of established logical principles and the nature of creativity.
Fr. Philip-Neri Reese explores the relationship between logic and truth as they manifest in God, the natural world, and artificial constructs, emphasizing the distinct ways in which logic operates within divine, natural, and human-made realities.
This lecture was given on November 6th, 2023, at Oxford University.
Fr. Philip-Neri Reese is a Dominican friar of the Province of St Joseph and a Professor of Philosophy at the Pontifical University of St.Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome. He is also the principal investigator for the Angelicum Thomistic Institute’s new Project on Philosophy and the Thomistic Tradition. He received his Licentiate in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in 2015 and his Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 2022. From 2015-2017 he taught philosophy at Providence College in Providence, RI. His main area of research is metaphysics and anything adjacent to it, with a special emphasis on the metaphysical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and its subsequent reception and interpretation. His publications, however, range widely, including articles on philosophical anthropology, ethics, and economics. He is also an enthusiast of classical Indian philosophy. Fr Philip-Neri is a member of the American Philosophical Association, the Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy, the Aquinas and the Arabs International Working Group, the Society for Medieval and Renaissance Thomism, and is currently serving on the executive committee of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Divine Logic, Epistemology, Logic, Metaphysics, Natural Law, Philosophy of Science, Rationality, Theology, Truth
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