? Analise van die werklikheidsbeskouing van die “Summa Contra Gentiles” (1261-1264) ? Wysgerige benadering
Abstract
From a Reformational perspective this article provides a critical appraisal of the view of reality (ontology) of the Summa Contra Gentiles, the main philosophical work of the famous medieval thinker, Thomas Aquinas (1224/5-1274). For centuries afterwards his ideas had a decisive influence, not only on Catholic philosophy and theology, but also on that of Reformed Orthodoxy or Scholasticism.
Due to the complex nature of his philosophy (it assimilated various ideas of previous centuries up to the classic Greek philosophy of Plato and Aristotle) the different parts of the puzzle are separated and the following cluster of ideas in his ontology are described and evaluated.
Aquinas accepts a hierarchy of being from (1) pure matter (an abstraction) below to (2) all created things consisting of matter and form up to (3) God as pure form/essence/law.
In this one chain of being, consisting of interlocking form and matter, a dualistic distinction is made between a highest, transcendent part (God) and a non-transcendent (creation). In his philosophy Thomas confines himself to the existing creation (and not its origin or genesis) which is predetermined by the exemplars in God (see previous article).
In the Contra Gentiles Thomas neither accepts individualism nor universalism, but thinks partially universalistic. He, however, does not propose a horizontal type of partial universalism (the theory of macro-microcosmos), but a vertical type (the form-matter theory), according to which the universal has a place above the individual. God, therefore, is also the most universal being for Aquinas.
Aquinas’ dualistic distinction between God and creation (in one ontic chain of being) is further relativised by two doctrines in his Summa: analogy and participation. According to the first, God and the world are simultaneously different and similar. According to the second, created beings do not only exit from and therefore resemble God, but also aspire to return to and participate in Him. The higher in the chain of being a creature is, the clearer its likeness to God and its participation in the divine nature.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
In Terms of the provisions in the Copyright Act, 98 of 1987, as amended, the copyright of author(s) in regard to articles submitted to and published in the Journal for Christian Scholarship is protected. The Vereniging vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys (VCHO) posesses the vested rights (copyright) in regard to published issues of the journal.
Die outeursreg (kopiereg) van outers ten opsigte van voorgelegde artikels aan en gepubliseerde artikels in die Tydskrif vir Christelike Wetenskap word beskerm, ingevolge die bepalings van die Wet op Outeursreg, 98 van 1987, soos gewysig. Die Vereniging vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys (VCHO) beskik oor die gevestigde regte (outeursreg) ten opsigte van gepubliseerde uitgawes van die tydskrif.
