Chesterton on Saints Francis and Thomas Aquinas | Dr. Thomas Hibbs
Jan 5, 2021
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Dr. Thomas Hibbs discusses the theological connection between Saints Francis and Thomas Aquinas, exploring beauty, contemplation, action, and existential dilemmas in light of Pope Francis' encyclical. The podcast also delves into Aquinas's views on beauty, contrasts the contemplative and active life, examines 'The Tree of Life', and compares Chesterton's contemplative nature with the saints' approaches.
Saints Francis and Thomas embraced different approaches to understanding nature - Francis welcomed created nature while Thomas embraced Aristotle's naturalistic thought.
Their shared receptivity to the created order reflects a rootedness in an understanding of nature as a divine reflection, leading to a revitalization within the church.
Deep dives
Chesterton's Insight on the Affinities Between Saints Francis and Thomas
Chesterton highlights the deep affinity between Saints Francis and Thomas, emphasizing their distinct approaches to the problem of understanding nature. While Francis welcomed created nature, Thomas embraced the naturalistic thought of Aristotle. Their shared receptivity to the created order reveals a rootedness in their understanding of nature as a reflection of divine art and wisdom, made possible by their affirmation of the implications of the incarnation. Their combined perspectives led to a revitalization within the church and a resurgence of learning.
Metaphysics and Poetics of Creation in Thomas and Francis
Pope Francis identifies in Thomas and Francis a metaphysics and poetics of creation that offer remedies for contemporary challenges. A theological reimagining of human existence within the created cosmos is essential, as highlighted in the encyclical Laudato Si'. The existential crisis faced by humanity, as articulated by Francis, calls for a deeper understanding of human relationships with nature, emphasizing that healing environmental concerns should be accompanied by a broader reconciliation among humanity.
Essence Before Existence vs. Existence Before Essence
A contrasting perspective between the Thomistic view of essence before existence and the postmodern view of existence before essence is identified. The Thomistic emphasis on essence preceding existence aligns with a deeper metaphysical understanding rooted in God's pure being. In contrast, the postmodern view prioritizes existence before essence, emphasizing autonomy over a predetermined essence, leading to challenges in reconciling differing metaphysical perspectives.
Beauty, Worship, and Understanding of Creation
The theme of beauty and worship plays a crucial role in re-envisioning creation and human existence. Francis and Thomas underscore the significance of aesthetic appreciation and gratitude in responding to the beauty of the cosmos and acknowledging the divine creator. Through a focus on the Eucharist as a source of thanksgiving and the living center of the universe, the encyclical Laudato Si' advocates for an aesthetic education that cultivates virtues of wonder, receptivity, and gratitude towards the beauty inherent in creation.
This lecture was given at the University of Virginia on November 18, 2020. Dr. Hibbs' lecture concludes at 43:22. The rest of the recording is Q&A with him and the students of the chapter.
For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website: thomisticinstitute.org.
Speaker Bio:
Thomas Hibbs has been President of the University of Dallas since 2019. Previously, he served as distinguished Professor of Ethics & Culture and Dean of the Honors College at Baylor University. He is the author of books including Virtue's Splendor: Wisdom, Prudence, and the Human Good and Shows About Nothing, one of two books of his about film. He has nearly completed a book on Pascal, tentatively entitled Divine Irony and is at work on a book on Nihilism, Beauty, and God, an application of Jacques Maritain’s aesthetic theory to the arts of poetry and painting in the 20th century. He also has written on film, culture, books and higher education in publications including Books and Culture, Christianity Today, First Things, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
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