Neuroscience, Freedom and Determinism: Thomas Aquinas in Dialogue with Contemporary Human Sciences Cover Image

Neurovedy, sloboda a determinizmus: Tomáš Akvinský v dialógu so súčasnými vedami o človeku
Neuroscience, Freedom and Determinism: Thomas Aquinas in Dialogue with Contemporary Human Sciences

Author(s): Peter Samuel Lovás
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Religion and science
Published by: VERBUM - vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku
Keywords: Freedom; Fully voluntary act; Necessity; Individual good; Thomas Aquinas

Summary/Abstract: Is human freedom only an illusion and we are determined by all kinds of facts that exclude our freedom? According to some thinkers, the results of Benjamin Libet’s experiments seem to prove this. More effectively than any arguments of science, the existence of free human actions can be questioned by philosophical theses, above all by various doctrines of determinism. In an interdisciplinary dialogue, we will try to answer some postulates of the natural and human sciences with the arguments of Thomas Aquinas, according to which human will is ordered to the general good, which is what determines it. However, every particular good is limited and not good from some point of view. That is why our choice of a specific good is not determined. Reason frees our will from the necessity of always following some individual good, and keeps it open to the complete and universal good.

  • Issue Year: XXII/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 89-111
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: Slovak