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Uniting Eras: Unraveling The Parallels Of Aquinas And Aristotle

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Wisdom Uniting Eras: Unraveling the Parallels of Aquinas and Aristotle
Kyra Cronin
Philosophy of Human Nature
Dan Bradley
June 20, 2023

Wisdom Uniting Eras: Unraveling the Parallels of Aquinas and Aristotle
Thomas Aquinas, a priest and philosopher hailing from the medieval era, and Aristotle, a revered philosopher of ancient Greece, have left an indelible mark on the realms of ethics, metaphysics, and political philosophy. Despite the temporal and cultural gaps that separate them, these visionary thinkers have remarkably influenced each other's ideas and, in turn, transformed the course of philosophical discourse. Despite the temporal and cultural gaps that separate them, these visionary thinkers have remarkably influenced …show more content…

Aristotle's notion of natural law emphasized the importance of reason in discerning and aligning oneself with this inherent moral order. He posited that by utilizing our capacity for rationality, we could discover the fundamental principles that govern human conduct and guide us towards eudaimonia, the ultimate state of human flourishing (Aristotle I, 7). For Aristotle, this flourishing encompassed not just personal well-being but also the harmonious functioning of society as a whole. Thus, following natural law was essential for individuals to lead virtuous lives and contribute to the betterment of their …show more content…

It involves the deliberate development of virtues through habituation and ethical practice. Both philosophers recognized that virtue is not an innate quality but something that must be consciously nurtured and refined through intentional efforts. Their recognition of virtues as the foundation for leading a good and fulfilling life reflects a shared understanding of the importance of character cultivation. While Aristotle focused on the pursuit of eudaimonia through the cultivation of virtues and the doctrine of the mean, Aquinas integrated virtue ethics into a Christian framework, highlighting the moral and spiritual dimensions of virtuous

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