Is Belief in God Rational? Aquinas on Skepticism and Theological Knowledge | Prof. Joshua Hochschild
Jan 13, 2020
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Prof. Joshua Hochschild discusses Aquinas' perspective on skepticism and faith in God. They explore Aristotle's epistemology, skepticism, and the importance of diverse modes of learning. The podcast delves into the limits of social science, domain-specific knowledge, and Aquinas' emphasis on reason in Christianity.
Aquinas integrates Aristotelian proofs into Christian theology to show the compatibility between reason and faith.
The distinction between rational beliefs accessible by reason and mysteries requiring revelation is emphasized by Aquinas.
Aquinas uses reason to prove rational aspects of faith and defend mysterious truths, showcasing the harmony of reason and faith.
Deep dives
Aristotelian Standards of Rationality Applied to Theological Knowledge
Aristotle's influence on theological knowledge is explored as the speaker delves into his standards of rationality. Beliefs about the divine nature, such as God's existence, immutability, simplicity, and intelligence, are framed within an Aristotelian epistemological context. Aristotle's works like the Nicomachean Ethics and metaphysics are referenced to outline the logical structure that underpins theological science.
The Nature of God as Proven by Aristotle and Aquinas
The podcast discusses the rational arguments presented by both Aristotle and Aquinas regarding the existence and attributes of God. Aquinas uses philosophical reasoning to demonstrate the divine qualities of eternity, immateriality, simplicity, and pure actuality, drawing on Aristotle's principles of a prime mover and rationality regarding theology. Aquinas integrates Aristotelian proofs into Christian theological discourse while emphasizing the compatibility between reason and faith.
The Role of Divine Revelation and Human Reason in Belief
The distinction between the preambles and mysteries of faith is addressed, highlighting beliefs that are accessible to reason versus those necessitating divine revelation. While human reason can establish the rationality of basic theistic beliefs and some attributes of God, Aquinas emphasizes the importance of revelation in revealing ineffable truths like the Trinity and the Incarnation, stressing the rational defense of revealed mysteries as well.
Aquinas's Twofold Apologetic Task: Rational Proof and Defense of Faith
Aquinas's approach involves using reason to both prove the knowable aspects of faith through rational arguments and defend the unknowable mysteries against objections. By engaging in philosophical reasoning to address objections and ensure coherence within faith, Aquinas showcases the compatibility of reason and faith in defending Christian theological truths. His apologetic method intertwines reason and faith to foster a deeper understanding and defense of beliefs.
Synthesis of Aristotelian and Christian Theology by Aquinas
Aquinas's synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology emphasizes the rational foundation of belief in God within a philosophical framework. Incorporating Aristotelian principles into Christian thought, Aquinas illustrates a harmonious relationship between reason and faith through philosophical proofs for the divine attributes and the defense of revealed mysteries. His approach highlights the mutual enrichment of philosophical inquiry and theological discourse in understanding the rationality of belief in God.
This event was given at Rutgers University on December 3, 2019.
For more events and info please visit thomisticinstitute.org/events-1.
Joshua Hochschild is the Monsignor Robert R. Kline Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he’s been elected to serve as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
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