Thomism
Though their numbers and prominence have varied throughout history. While the influence of neo-Thomism waned after Vatican II, there has been a revival of interest in Aquinas’s thought across various disciplines, leading to a modern form of science-engaged Thomism and a resurgence of Thomistic studies, particularly within Catholic academia.
Thomism today
- Resurgence in academia: There is a noted revival of Thomistic studies, often in collaboration with contemporary theology and philosophy.
- Science-engaged approach: A new approach, “science-engaged Thomism,” encourages theological and metaphysical questions that require input from the natural sciences.
- Contemporary figures: Modern Thomists include figures like Edward Feser, Peter Kreeft, Brian Davies, and Alasdair MacIntyre.
- Varied interpretations: Modern Thomism is not a monolithic school; there are many interpretations of Aquinas’s thought, leading to a diverse range of Thomists with differing views.
Historical context
- Historical dominance: Thomism was the dominant philosophical system within the Catholic Church for centuries, particularly after the 14th century.
- Decline after Vatican II: After the Second Vatican Council, the dominance of Thomism declined as the Church engaged with more contemporary thought and the monopoly of neo-Thomists collapsed.
- Neo-Thomism: In response to the decline, some scholars and institutions continued to promote traditional neo-Thomism, which had been criticized for not always accurately reflecting Aquinas’s original thought.
Thomism and other traditions
- Catholic vs. non-Catholic: While many Thomists are Catholic, there are also Anglican Thomists and others who are not affiliated with a particular denomination but are drawn to Aquinas’s philosophy.
- Thomism vs. other philosophies: Thomism is often contrasted with other modern philosophical traditions, such as analytic and continental philosophy.
- Thomism vs. other scholastic traditions: In the medieval context, Thomists were distinguished from other scholastic traditions, such as Scotism and Ockhamism.
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://livingchurch.org/covenant/notes-from-an-anglican-thomist/
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/Catholicism/comments/6bgurd/are_all_catholics_thomists/
[4] https://semioticthomist.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/thomism-in-the-21st-century/
[5] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Thomism/Decline-and-revival-through-the-mid-20th-century
[7] https://lyceum.institute/philosophical-happy-hour/2024/06/24/does-thomism-have-a-future/
[9] https://www.americanmaritainassociation.com/the-future-of-thomism
[10] wikipedia/en/Neo-scholasticism
[11] https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14698b.htm
[13] https://www.thomisticmetaphysics.com/Recources-for-studying-Thomism/what-is-thomism