18 Questions
According to St. Augustine, what is the aim of philosophy?
To produce happiness
What was the philosophical focus of St. Thomas of Aquinas?
Eternal Law and moral obligation
Which of the following did St. Augustine not believe about the human person?
Humans can achieve perfect knowledge, peace, and wisdom
What is one of the key teachings of St. Thomas of Aquinas?
Eternal Law governs the moral obligations of human beings
What is one of the limitations that the text suggests people may face?
Lack of knowledge
Which of the following is a key factor that the text suggests can affect a person's possibilities for transcendence?
Their own self-reflection and effort
What does Augustine believe about Christianity in relation to philosophy?
It is the only full and true philosophy.
In what way does St. Augustine view the relationship between human beings and God?
Human beings are bound to fail without God.
What is the Eternal Law for St. Augustine?
The law of God Himself.
What does St. Thomas of Aquinas consider as unique about human beings among all creatures?
The power to change themselves and things for the better.
In which treatises can St. Thomas of Aquinas' philosophy be best understood?
Summa Contra Gentiles and Summa Theologica
What is the meaning behind St. Thomas of Aquinas' view on vulnerability?
To be vulnerable is to be human, while invulnerability is somehow inhuman.
According to St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, what is the relationship between the body and the soul?
The soul is united with the body by nature of its essence.
Which of the following is NOT one of the concerns about the nature of the soul as a body, according to the text?
The soul is a separate, immaterial substance from the body.
According to Aristotle's De Anima II, what characterizes the soul?
The power of self-nutrition, sensation, thinking, and movement.
What does the term 'self-nutrition' mean in the context of the soul, according to Aristotle?
The ability of the soul to sustain and nourish itself.
Which philosophical work is NOT mentioned in the given text?
Confessions by St. Augustine
What is the primary reason for living, perceiving, and thinking, according to Aristotle?
The soul
Study Notes
Christianity and Philosophy
- For Augustine, Christianity is the only full and true philosophy, presenting the full revelation of the true God.
- Human beings alone, without God, are bound to fail, and acceptance of this fact is a humble acknowledgment.
- The Eternal Law is God Himself, and humanity must do well and avoid evil, resulting in moral obligation in every human being.
St. Augustine's Philosophy
- Physically, humans are free, but morally bound to obey the law.
- The Bible (John 5:5) says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."
St. Thomas of Aquinas' Philosophy
- Human beings have the unique power to change themselves and things for the better.
- His philosophy is best understood through his treatises Summa Contra Gentiles and Summa Theologica.
- St. Thomas considers the human being as a moral agent.
Key Concepts
- Forgiveness: freeing oneself from anger and bitterness due to others' actions or words.
- The Beauty of Nature: seeing perfection in every aspect of creation, such as flowers, sunrises, and sunsets, which can be moments of grace.
- Vulnerability: being human, and invulnerability being inhuman, like supermen or superheroes hiding from their true humanity.
The Human Person
- Composed of spiritual and corporeal substances, as stated in St. Thomas' Summa Theologica.
- The soul is not the essence of the body, but the soul can be united with the body by its nature.
- The philosopher Aristotle stated that the soul is the source of phenomena, characterized by self-nutrition, sensation, thinking, and movement.
Developmental Stages of Life
- A chart can be created to reflect on one's development, considering things that can and cannot be done at different ages (0-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-15, 16-up).
Self-Reflection Questions
- What are your limitations as a person, and what are the things that you find difficult or hard to accomplish or believe in?
- What are your strengths, and what are the possible things or status that you can reach or achieve in the future?
- What factors affect your limitations, and how about possibilities?
- Do you see yourself improving in 5-10 years' time, and how can you transcend your current limitations?
Hinduism Concepts
- Upanishads: the final section of the Veda, the most significant part of Hindu scriptures.
- Karma: the law of cause and effect.
- Dharma: the law of salvation.
- Nirvana: enlightened wisdom, absolutely free from all forms of bondage and attachment.
- Aum/Om: the root of the Universe and everything that exists (sacred sound).
- Moksha: liberation.
- Jiva: spirit.
- Samsara: continuous life.
- Archatship: perfect character.
Test your knowledge on St. Augustine's perspective that Christianity is the only full and true philosophy, emphasizing the importance of God's revelation and human dependence on God. Explore Augustine's beliefs on freedom, morality, and the Eternal Law.
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