On the Concept of Contemplation in Thoams Aquinas

• Main Authors: Din-yuang, HUnag, 黃鼎元
• Other Authors: Carlos Kwan
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/82244177396554249263

博士 === 輔仁大學 === 哲學研究所 === 95 === The thesis consists of 6 chapters: Chapter I primarily first attempts to define “contemplation” and then discusses the history of the concept of “contemplation” prior to Thomas. Chapter II describes the nature of the human person according to Thomas: a unity composed of body and soul. Chapter III investigates Thomas’ epistemology, but within the categories of Lonergan’s analysis of cognition – experience, understanding, judgment and decision. Lonergan felt that the approach of Insight was complimentary to the traditional approach of St. Thomas. Chapter IV then discusses Thomas’ understanding of “contemplation.” We agrees with Thomas that “[T]he ultimate happiness and felicity of every intellectual substance is to know God.” Thomas then goes on to point out we use the word knowledge “analogically,” that the knowledge of God that most of us have. As Thomas puts it, the created intellect needs an influx of Divine Light to “see” God. Chapter V then uses the concept of “Imago Dei” as a way to understand in what sense the human person is open to the knowledge of God. Under this heading, we also discuss Lonergan’s concept of God as Ipsum Intellegere. Chapter XI, the last chapter, presents our conclusion, in which we have a comparison between Thomas and St. John of the Cross on contemplation.