

Three Powers, Pt. 2: One Power to Rule Them All?
Nov 1, 2024
Discover the debate over the primacy of intellect and its historical roots in Greco-Roman philosophy and the Reformation. Explore how ancient thinkers like Plato and Aquinas viewed the hierarchy of human powers, emphasizing the interplay between intellect, will, and appetite. The discussion challenges the traditional focus on intellect in faith contexts, advocating for personal inquiry and moral judgment over blind obedience. Ultimately, it calls for a balanced appreciation of all human faculties in shaping values and beliefs.
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Primacy of the Intellect
- Western thought prioritizes intellect, assuming it governs other faculties.
- This "primacy of the intellect" is deeply ingrained, influencing how we approach knowledge and action.
Seminary Argument
- Michael Minkoff recalls a heated seminary argument with his systematic theology professor.
- The professor insisted that knowledge is foundational to all human actions and even love.
Plato's Ideal City
- Plato's Republic depicts an ideal city ruled by a philosopher king, reflecting the ideal human.
- This hierarchy (reason over will over appetites) establishes intellect as the primary human faculty.