What is a Thomist? A Historical-Speculative Consideration

0563947 - FLÚ 2023 eng A3 - Přednáška/prezentace nepublikovaná
Jindráček, Efrem
What is a Thomist? A Historical-Speculative Consideration.
[International Thomistic Congress. Vetera novis augere. The resources of the Thomist tradition in the current context /11./. Rome, 19.09.2022-24.09.2022]
Způsob prezentace: Zvaná přednáška
Pořadatel akce: Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Angelicum Thomistic Institute
URL akce: https://angelicum.it/TI-romathomism2022/ 
Institucionální podpora: RVO:67985955
Klíčová slova: Thomism * history * definition
Obor OECD: Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology

Although the designation as “Thomist” is documented since the 14th century, the exact content and definition of this term must have been systematically used only in modern times, especially from the 17th to the 21st century. From then on, there are several historical and descriptive definitions. But the problem is altogether deeper and more philosophical. Is Thomism really in our thinking an independent “science”, that is, the “intelligible quality” that we can simply and necessarily discover and objectively recognize, or is it - at least partially - a doctrinal artifact of a certain historical development and compromise, which, of course, can be documented and described? Does being a good Thomist merely mean knowing and faithfully defending the doctrinal heritage of Thomas Aquinas, his pupils and school, or are the responsibilities of a true Thomist something greater? The paper presents several basic historical starting points and develops a speculative conclusion. “Thomism,” understood as an objective and rigorous science is not the mere internal understanding of Aquinas’ doctrines and arguments. Rather the most important task for a serious follower of the Thomistic school is the demonstration of Aquinas’s arguments independent from his authority and according to an adequate philosophical or theological methodology.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0338855