Summa Theologica The View On The Acquisition Of Knowledge

In his work, â€Å"Summa Theologica†, Aquinas expresses his unique views on the acquisition of knowledge, and argues against the claims of other philosophers. Aquinas claims that one is born with a blank slate, or lack of knowledge, and obtains knowledge through phantasms, or sensible images, due to the unity of the body and soul. This opinion is generally unlike the views of other traditional philosophers who claim that knowledge is inherent, and Aquinas makes multiple valid arguments against the traditional view. Plato’s epistemological view is that one is born with innate concepts and ideas before they acquire additional knowledge. He argues that when asked a question, an ignorant person will still answer with some portion of truth, despite not having acquired any relevant knowledge. He claims this phenomenon is proof that one is born with innate species which allow one’s soul to understand corporeal ideas (116). Aquinas’ belief that one is born with a blank slate disagrees with this notion, and he responds with a convincing argument against the Platonic view. He points out that if one were to have an innate knowledge of all things, then it would be impossible for them to forget those ideas in the first place. Because of the unity of the body and soul, it is unreasonable that the body would hinder the soul from remembering what it naturally knows, because a natural entity should not be impede a natural occurrence. To further disprove Plato’s theory, Aquinas provid es an exampleShow MoreRelated Truth Evident in the Many Beliefs of Al-Ghazali and Aquinas Essay1805 Words   |  8 Pagesfield of study in which each is used. According to two prominent thinkers of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Truth is revealed through religion while truth can be reasoned with philosophy. Al-Ghazali and Thomas Aquinas both hold similar, basic views on the subjects of reason and faith that uncover absolute Truth. By way of relating to the practical and functional appeal of the common public, however, Aquinas provides the stronger position of thinking when compared to that of Al-Ghazali. Read MoreEssay on Faith and Reason2144 Words   |  9 Pagesultimately led to his demise, he represented a rational way of acquiring knowledge. After he was sentenced to death, Socrates described his death as an opportunity to continue a life of searching. â€Å"Above all, I shall be able to continue my search into true and false knowledge; as the world, so also in that; I shall find out who is wise, who pretends to be wise, and is not.† This demonstrates Socrates’ belief of what true knowledge was. To Socrates, a person who was truly wise knew that he knew nothingRead MoreSt. Thomas on the Nature of Human Action5620 Words   |  23 PagesINTRODUCTION In moral theory, understanding the concept of human action is significant. While contemporary moral philosophers tend to address these subjects as discrete topics of study, St. Thomas Aquinas’s treatment of them yields a bracing, comprehensive view of the moral life. Though at times it is not necessary for someone to be a trained moralist just to determine whether an act is good or bad, in some cases, this task can be challenging. Essential to identifying a correct moral action is recognizing