In Our Time: Religion St Thomas Aquinas
Sep 17, 2009
In this insightful discussion, guests Martin Palmer, John Haldane, and Annabel Brett delve into the life and works of St. Thomas Aquinas, a cornerstone of medieval philosophy. They explore Aquinas's struggle between family expectations and his spiritual journey, and his integration of reason into theology, notably influenced by Aristotle. The conversation also touches on Aquinas's impact on concepts like natural law and moral authority, revealing how his insights continue to shape today’s philosophical and theological debates.
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Aquinas' Kidnapping
- Aquinas' family kidnapped him to prevent him from joining the Dominicans.
- They saw the Dominicans as a cult and tried to dissuade him, even attempting to seduce him.
Aristotle's Acceptance
- Initially, Aristotle's works were banned from universities.
- However, they later became required reading due to the influence of Albert the Great.
Arabic Influence on Aristotle
- Arab commentators like Avicenna and Averroes made Aristotle's work accessible.
- They translated and interpreted his principles into a workable model of science.