Week 4 Course Material

Course Slides and Readings

Before the fourth session, please read:

• Prologues of Summa theologiae I, q. 14-26 found here.

• Articles from Summa theologiae I, q. 14-26, found here.

Further Reading

Optional reading:

• "Part 5: The Divine Nature: Part 2 (1a, 14-26)" 72-94, in Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae: A Guide and Commentary, by Brian Davies.  Link here.

Assignment

After the fourth session, please submit a 1,000 - 1,500 word paper in response to one of the following:

1. What is the ontological argument? Does Aquinas agree with it? Describe his response in your answer.

2. Compare and contrast the first and second ways whereby Aquinas proves God's existence.

3. How does Aquinas demonstrate the simplicity of God? How does this relate to his doctrine of potency and act?

4. What is apophatic theology? Briefly explain how each of the divine attributes described by Aquinas in questions 3-11 in the Prima Pars can be understood in this way.

5. Present one or more Thomistic arguments taken from the Prima Pars that God is pure act, and then explain how Aquinas uses this doctrine to argue for divine perfection.

6. What is truth? Describe truth with reference to God's ideas and our ideas.

7. What is life? Is God alive?

8. If the object of God's understanding is himself, does this mean that he does not know his creation? Why or why not?