Aquinas' Theological Approach
Religious Studies: OCR A Level, topic 2.8.1
Aquinas' Theological Approach
Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian, integrated faith and reason in his moral philosophy.
Exploring Aquinas' theological approach
- Aquinas believed that humans, created in God's image, possess reason (ratio).
- Aquinas argued that reason guides humans towards moral understanding and decision-making.
- Aquinas' theology includes concepts like synderesis and conscientia within moral reasoning.
Ratio and synderesis
- Aquinas defined ratio as the divine reason placed in every person, enabling moral understanding.
- Synderesis is an innate principle directing humans towards good and away from evil.
- Aquinas described synderesis as infallible, always orienting individuals towards correct action.
- Both ratio and synderesis reflect God's influence on human moral decisions.
Conscientia and moral judgment
- Conscientia refers to a person's reason making practical moral judgements in specific situations.
- Aquinas viewed conscientia as applying synderesis and ratio to concrete moral dilemmas.
- Conscientia involves evaluating actions and ensuring they align with God's moral order.
- Aquinas acknowledged that conscientia can make mistakes, emphasising the importance of moral education.
Vincible and invincible ignorance
- Vincible ignorance occurs when a person lacks knowledge they are responsible for obtaining.
- Aquinas believed vincible ignorance does not excuse wrong actions, as one should have better informed themselves.
- Invincible ignorance involves lacking knowledge without fault or opportunity to learn it.
- Aquinas held that invincible ignorance could excuse an individual from moral culpability.
Example of Aquinas' moral theory
- Imagine a person considering lying.
- Ratio helps them understand truthfulness as a divine value.
- Synderesis inclines them naturally towards honesty, recognising lying as evil.
- Conscientia applies these principles when deciding not to lie in a Specific situation.
- If they remain ignorant of consequences despite effort (invincible), guilt is lessened; otherwise, they bear more responsibility (vincible).
Test yourself on Aquinas' Theological Approach
What does Thomas Aquinas describe as the divine reason placed in every person that enables moral understanding?
What are the moral concepts included in Aquinas' moral theology?