Thomas Aquinas’s epistemology of theistic beliefs Cover Image

Tomasza z Akwinu epistemologia przekonań teistycznych
Thomas Aquinas’s epistemology of theistic beliefs

Author(s): Piotr Moskal
Subject(s): Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Biblical studies, Hermeneutics
Published by: Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Łodzi
Keywords: God; epistemology of theistic beliefs; natural theology; religious experience; religious faith; affective knowledge;

Summary/Abstract: According to St. Thomas Aquinas, there are three ways to know God: 1. Theoretical knowledge of that field of knowledge. 2. Theoretical knowledge which is the field of faith in God’s revelation. 3. Affective knowledge – by inclination and participation. Ad 1. The existence of God is not obvious to us. We have not here on Earth, direct knowledge of God. We know God indirectly, as the cause of the world. It is a metaphysical knowledge (e.g. “five ways”), and prephilosophical. Ad 2. “The act of faith (credere) is itself an act of the intellect that assents to divine truth at the command of the will, which is moved by God through grace” (STh II–II, q. 2 a. 9). Ad 3. Affective knowledge of God is a kind of knowledge, which follows the human affectivity.

  • Issue Year: 23/2014
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 5-20
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish