(Book 1.1) In addition to knowledge by human reason, we need revelation. Aquinas gives these reasons why:
� Human beings are ordered to God, to an end beyond our grasp. This must be made known in advance to humans, who should order their intentions & actions towards their end.
� Investigating God by reason would only be available (1) to a few people (2) after
(Book 1.2) Theology is a science. In what sense?
There's 2 kinds of sciences: Some from naturally-known truths, some from truths that draw from higher science.
Theology is a science in that it draws from & accepts principles from the higher science which belongs to God
What does it mean to use a word univocally, equivocally and analogously? Give an example of the use of analogy in theology.
x
(Book 1.8) Explain: "If our opponent believes nothing of divine revelation, there is no longer any means of proving the articles of faith by reasoning, but only of answering his objections---if he has any---against faith. Since faith rests upon infallible
If the opponent doesn't believe in God: There's no avenues to prove his existence. However, there's a way to answer objections against the faith, using reason & philosophy. Since reason & revelation both come from God, it'll never contradict.
There are tw
What is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?
Deductive goes from general observation to a specific conclusion
(e.g. Humans are mortal, Socrates is human. Therefore Socrates is mortal)
Inductive goes from observed specifics to a general conclusion
(e.g. I picked a dime out of the bag 10 times, theref
What is a syllogism? Give an example of this as applied to a theological issue.
Syllogism is a deductive reasoning that uses a major premise & minor premise to form conclusions.
For example
Major premise: Christ rose from the dead
Minor premise: We become the Body of Christ & are in Christ, through Baptism
Conclusion: We will be rais
What is the difference between a verbal and a substantive disagreement? Give an example.
x
What are the fallacies of:
(a) correlation
(b) equivocation
(c) begging the question
Correlation: Two events occurring together are taken to a cause-and-effect relationship. Each factor may be connected to something else
Equivocation: Using the same word but with different meanings
Begging the question: Within the premise is a conclusion,
(Book 2.1) How does Aquinas argue that the existence of God is not self-evident?
- God is infinite. The human mind, which is finite, can only grasp through its senses.
- It's self-evident that we desire happiness, but not self-evident that it's in God
- If we hear the name "God" we'd only understand within our intellectual grasp. His
(Book 2.3) How is the distinction between potency and actuality, at the heart of the first way?
The first way proves the existence of God by using motion. To move another is to bring something from potentiality to actuality. Things with potency must be moved by beings in actuality. We cannot trace back infinitely, there must be a first mover who is
(Book 2.3) What is the difference between a 'per se' and a 'per accidens' chain of causality and how is this important in the first proof?
Chain of Causality - Per se: Every chain depends on the other
Chain of Causality - Per accidents: Chains don't depend on other in the sequence
First proof on motion is a "per se" chain. It's important to because movement depends on previous ones until it
Use the distinction of (essence and existence) to prove the existence of a being (in which existence and essence are identical) (cf. Second Proof for God's existence)
--DISTINCTION--
Essence: What something is | Existence: That it is
Essence (Potency) ? Existence (Actuality)
--BEING--
There must be a first being that brings essence into existence.
It must be pure existence, where essence is existence.
Only in God it's
What are the four causes? Briefly explain each and illustrate your answer.
x
Discuss (a) distinction between direct and indirect efficient causes (b) how moral and meritorious causes relate to this distinction (c) the distinction between primary, instrumental and secondary causes.
x
(Book 2.3) What part does the idea of 'final cause' play in the fifth proof for the existence of God?
The fifth proof looks at the governance of things. This observes that some things act for the sake of some end, not by chance, but by intention (This is the Final Cause : Explains why things exist, looking at the purpose for which they're oriented!)
Thing
(Book 3.3) How does Aquinas argue that in God there is no distinction between him as an individual (subject) and nature?
x
(Book 3.4) How does the potency/act distinction show us that in God there is no distinction between essence and existence?
Existence is related to an essence (that's distinct from it) as actuality is related to potentiality. In God, there's no potentiality, therefore his essence is his existence.