Thomistic Philosophycourse Syllabusspring 2010

Thomistic PhilosophyCourse SyllabusSpring 2010

Thomistic Philosophy

(PHI 310)

3 credits

Spring 2010

Aquinas Institute

Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Richard C. Chiasson

BS, MBA, MA (Philosophy), MA (Theology)

Telephone:[337] 235-0071 (home)e-mail:

[337] 896-6050, ext. 227 (work)

If you wish to speak with me privately, call the above telephone numberor send an e-mail to schedule an appointment.

All of the following apply to students taking the course for credit.

Auditors are only subject to dress policies and class protocol requirements.

Time and Location of Classes

Classes will be held every Tuesday at the ImmaculataCenter (John XXIII Room), 1408 Carmel Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana. Each class will meet from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a break from 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM.

Course Description

An overview of the fundamental philosophical teachings of St. Thomas Aquinasincluding a study ofhis life, the historical framework in which he developed his philosophical positions, the structure of the medieval university, the controversies in which Thomas was embroiled,his impact on education, Thomas’ insistence on the necessity of both faith and reason, and the importance of Pope Leo XIII’s revival of Thomistic philosophy. Specific philosophical disciplines examined from St. Thomas Aquinas’ perspective include, but are not limited to, the philosophy of nature, the philosophy of human nature, epistemology, natural theology, metaphysics, moral philosophy and political philosophy. The Christian and perennial philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas is studied from the writings of the Angelic Doctor.

Course Goals

After successfully completing the course, the student will:

Have a fundamental knowledge of the philosophic teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Understand what distinguishes Thomistic philosophy from the positions of other philosophers.
Be capable of integrating Aquinas’ philosophy into the study of Catholic theology.
Realize why one must have knowledge of sound Christian philosophy before the study of theology.
Appreciate why Thomistic philosophy is truly the handmaid of Catholic theology.

Course Rationale

“[Thomistic philosophy] is simply the teachings of St. Thomas, as opposed to some ‘ism’ which purports to be the true representation of his thought. A ‘system’ of his thought is not possible because truth for Thomas was inexhaustible and . . . can never be grasped in its totality, much less represented by some school of human thought. Those who adhere to any form of ‘Thomism’ have done nothing but limited what St. Thomas teachestruth, however, cannot be limited. If we narrow Thomas’ teachings, we narrow reality.”

— Joseph Pieper, The Silence of St. Thomas

Method of Instruction

The primary method of instruction will be lectures with active participation of the student, assigned readings and the writing of research papers the purpose of which is to permit the student to individually delve deeper into certain topics discussed in the lectures.

Taking good notes is essential to doing well in this course. Lectures will not simply be a repetition of assigned readings but will usually include topics that are not in assigned readings. Thus, it is imperative that credit students have accurate notes for every class in order to prepare for the final examination.

Students are permitted to audio tape lectures if they so wish for personal use only.

Required Texts

Thomas Aquinas—Selected Writings, edited and translated with an introduction and notes by Ralph McInerny, published by Penguin Books.
The Silence of St. Thomas, by Josef Pieper, published by St. Augustine’s Press, South Bend, Indiana.
EitherThePenguin Dictionary of Philosophy, edited by Thomas Mautner, published by Penguin Books or the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, by Simon Blackburn, published by Oxford University Press.

[N.B.:if any required texts are no longer in print, obtain them from a used book dealer. Use bookfinder.com to locate a dealer who has the book.]

Some Suggested Readings for Your Own Edification[1]

The Thought of Thomas Aquinas, by Brian Davies, published by Clarendon Press, Oxford.
On Being and Essence, by St. Thomas Aquinas, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto.
Guide to Thomas Aquinas, by Josef Pieper, published by Ignatius Press, San Francisco.
An Aquinas Reader—Selections from the Writings of Thomas Aquinas, edited, with and introduction by Mary T. Clark, Fordham University Press, New York.
Preambula Fidei—Thomism and the God of the Philosophers, by Ralph McInerny, published by The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C.
Aquinas Against the Averroists—On There Being Only One Intellect, translated with analysis by Ralph McInerny, published by Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Disputed Questions on Virtue, by Thomas Aquinas, translated and preface by Ralph McInerny, published St. Augustine’s Press, South Bend, Indiana.
Faith, Reason and Theology—Questions I-IV of Commentary on the De Trinitate of Boethius, y Thomas Aquinas, translation and notes by Armand Maurer, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto.
A Preface to Metaphysics—Seven Lectures on Being, by Jacques Maritain, Published by Ayer Company Publishers, Inc., Salem, New Hampshire.
Introduction to the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, Volume IV Metaphysics, by H.D. Gardeil, published by B. Herder Book Company, St. Louis, Missouri.
Being and Some Philosophers, by Etienne Gilson, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto.
Quodlibetal Questions 1 and 2, by Thomas Aquinas, translated with an introduction and notes by Sandra Edwards, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto.
An Introduction to the Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by James F. Anderson, published by Regnery Gateway.
On Spiritual Creatures, by St. Thomas Aquinas, published by Marquette University Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Division and Methods of the Sciences—Questions V and VI of Commentary on the De Trinitate of Boethius, by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by Armand Maurer, published by The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto.
Aquinas and Analogy, by Ralph McInerny, published by Catholic University Press, Washington, D.C.
Commentary on the Book of Causes, by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by Vincent A. Guagliardo, O.P., Charles R. Hess, O.P., Richard C. Taylor, published by The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C.
Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio—On Faith and Reason, Pope John Paul II. This can be downloaded from the Vatican website free of charge. [ on the papal archives button on the home page]
A Student’s Guide to Philosophy, by Ralph M. McInerny, published by Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Wilmington, Delaware.

Major Works of St. Thomas Aquinas:

Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics
Commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Commentary on Aristotle’s On Interpretation
Commentary on Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics
Commentary on Aristotle’s On the Soul
Commentary on Aristotle’s Physics
Commentary on Aristotle’s Politics
Compendium Theologiae—The Compendium of Theology
De Anima—On the Soul
De Ente et Essentia—On Being and Essence
Disputed Question on the Cardinal Virtues
Disputed Question on the Virtues in General
De Malo—On Evil
De Potentia—On The Power of God
De Spiritualibus Creaturis—On Spiritual Creatures
De Veritate—On Truth
Faith, Reason, and Theology
On The Unity of the Intellect Against the Averroists
Summa[2] Contra Gentiles—Summa of Christian Teaching
Summa Theologiae—Summa of Theology
The Division and Methods of the Sciences

Lives of St. Thomas Aquinas:

Aquinas. F.C. Copleston
Saint Thomas Aquinas. Gerald Vann, O.P.
Saint Thomas Aquinas. M.C. D’Arcy, S.J.
St. Thomas Aquinas and His Work. A.D. Sertillanges, O.P.
St. Thomas Aquinas. Jacques Maritain
St. Thomas Aquinas. Joseph Pieper
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Volume 1—The Person and His Work, Volume 2—Spiritual Master. Jean-Pierre Torrell, O.P.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Volume 2.
The Dumb Ox—The Life of St. Thomas Aquinas. G.K. Chesterton.

Class Attendance Policy

(a.)Excused/unexcused absences.

The student should incur no more than one (1) excused absence and one (1) unexcusedabsence. An excused absence is one in which the reason for the absence has been approved by the Instructor at least 48 hours prior to the time of the class to be missed. An unexcused absence is one where the Instructor has not approved the reason for the absence at least 48 hours prior to the time of the class missed or any reason for an absence which has not been approved by the Instructor. Violations of the absence policy may result in dismissal from the course.

The Instructor has the authority to extend the excused and/or unexcused absence limits for individual students if unusual situations should arise.

Auditors are not required to attend every class. However, if an auditor misses class they may well find themselves unable to comprehend future lectures. Accordingly, if an auditor is absent more than six (6) times, as determined solely by the Instructor, they will be dismissed from the course since with that many absences it will not be possible to truly benefit from the series of instructions. All auditors when attending a class are expected to come on time and to remain until the class is completed, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Instructor to come late or leave early.

(b.)What you must do if you will not be able to attend a class.

If you cannot attend a class, please call the Instructor at [337] 235-0071 [home] or [337] 849-3642 [cell]. You must speak directly with the Instructor—leaving a voice message or sending an E-mail is not acceptable and will be considered to be an unexcused absence.

(c.)Acceptable reasons for missing a class include, but are not limited to the following:

Your illness.

Illness of a spouse or child.

Death of a near relative or close personal friend.

Business travel or other required travel (vacation or holiday travel is not considered to be “required” travel).

University examination.

Job related event.

Pregnancy and childbirth.

(d.)What do you have to do if you miss a class?

Obtain the lecture notes from a student who attended the class you missed.

There will be no make-up lectures.

If you miss a class, it is also your responsibility to obtain any handout(s) which were distributed during that class. Any handouts from the prior lecture will be displayed in the lecture room.

(e.)Arriving late for class.

If you arrive late for class simply enter quietly and take an available seat. Do not inform the Instructor as to why you were late until after the class.

Anyone who arrives more that 30 minutes late for class, as determined by the Instructor, will be documented as an unexcused absence. Be on time.

(f.)Leaving class early.

If you must leave class early, inform the Instructor prior to the beginning of the class as to the reason.

Anyone who leaves without having spent at least 1½ hours in class, as determined by the Instructor, will be documented as an unexcused absence.

Class Protocol

All students, both auditors and those taking the course for credit, are expected to observe the following minimum code of conduct at all times during class. Any behavior deemed inappropriate by the Instructor, whether or not stated below, may result in dismissal from the course.

Recitation of prayers before and after each class.
Active participation and attentiveness in class is expected.
Prompt attendance is required. Please come to class before it begins. You are expected to remain until the class is completed.
No food or beverages, except water, is permitted in the classroom.
All communication devices that make noise must be turned off, unless it is absolutely necessary that they remain on, for example, if you are a physician.
Sleeping is not permitted in class.
Disruptive behavior is not permitted.
Weapons of any sort are not permitted.
Obscene, vulgar, profane, or blasphemous language is not permitted.
Sexual harassment is not permitted.
Leaning the head on the desk is not permitted.
Chewing gum or any other substance is not permitted.
If you have a question during class or wish to make a comment, raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking.
Common courtesy will be practiced by all individuals attending the class.

You are to dress in a Christian manner, i.e., modestly and civilized—e.g., women—no halter tops, plunging necklines, sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, cutoffs, etc.;—e.g., men—no cutoffs, shirts with inane pictures or words, rock group pictures, etc. Nose rings, tongue rings, pierced eyebrows, multiple pierced ears, etc. are not permitted.

The wearing of caps during class is prohibited.
Smoking is not permitted in the classroom.
Attending class while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication is not permitted, if, in the sole determination of the Instructor, this results in the physical and/or mental impairment of the student.
If rest room facilities are required, quietly leave the room. It is not necessary to inform the class.
Guests are not permitted to accompany you to class.

Course Grade

The credit student’s final grade is the total points out of a possible 100 and will be determined as follows:

Writing Assignments45%

Final Examination45%

Class Participation10%

Writing Assignments

Two required papers are to be in the following format:

3 pages of text single spaced, in 12 point regular font, preferably Times New Roman.
All margins 1 inch justified; headers and footers 0.5 inches.
Paragraphs are to have the first line indented 0.5 inches.
A cover page with the student’s name, title of course [Thomistic Philosophy, PHI 310], date paper is due and the issue being addressed.
A Bibliography and Endnotes (not Footnotes) are to comprise the last page.
Direct quotations in the papers should be no longer than three (3) lines. Excessively long quotations will result in a deduction of points. Quotations are needed to show that you have researched the topic, but you must demonstrate critical thinking, creativity and understanding of the subject matter and not just quote other authors.
The essay is to have an introduction, statement of the purpose of the paper and how the purpose will be accomplished. The major part of the text will accomplish the purpose and is to be followed by a combined summary and conclusion paragraph.
Endnotes are to be limited to between ten (10) to fifteen (15) and the bibliography to between four (4) to six (6) sources.
Violations of these guidelines will result in the deduction of points.
Credit students are given a sample paper in the above format and should use it as a guideline in writing their papers.

It is recommended that you select a topic as soon as possible and begin your research.

If you wait until the topic is discussed in class it will be too late.

1st Writing Assignment Due March 2, 2010: [choose one of the following]

Present and comment on Chapter VI of Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio.
Analyze St. Thomas Aquinas’ How are Things Good? Exposition of On the Hebdomads of Boethius.
What is the distinction among divine names which are negative, relative and affirmative?

2nd Writing Assignment Due April 27, 2010: [choose one of the following]

What are the metaphysical implications of: “to be and to be changeable are not identical”?
What are the philosophical differences between St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle with regard to the following: the world, ideas and knowledge, the nature of God, the theory of being, and moral and political philosophy?
Analyze Thomas’ commentary on Aristotle’s argument for an ultimate end: Commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics(I Ethic., lectio 2).

Papers turned in after the due date will receive a grade of “0”/”F”, unless a later date has been approved in advance by the Instructor.

With regard to the writing assignments, you may use any source you feel is applicable. For example, you may consult Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics or Metaphysics, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae or Summa Contra Gentiles, any assigned reading, any book on philosophy or any writing by a philosopher that will help in achieving the objective of the writing assignment.

Final Examination

On the final examination the credit student will be asked to answer six (6) questions out of thirteen (13). Questions are to be answered in short essay form, with thirty (30) minutes allocated to each question. The questions will be taken from lecture notes only. A review will be conducted during the class immediately prior to the date of the final examination.

A make-up final examination may be permitted only for a serious reason approved by the Instructor at least twenty-four (24) hours beforethe scheduled examination time. Any make up final examination must be taken within seven days of the original test date. The make-up test will consist of an oral examination with the Instructor. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a grade of “0”/“F” on the final examination.

Class Participation

All credit students are expected to participate in the class. Participation includes, among other things, coming to class on time, attention to the material presented during class, staying current on reading assignments, the response to questions posed by the Instructor directly to a student and the asking of questions that show critical thinking skills.

Class participation will affect your final grade. For example, if your grade on the two writing assignments is an A- and your grade on the final examination is a B+, I will use your grade in class participation to determine if you will receive an A or B as your final grade for the course.

Determination of Final Course Grade

Grades for papers, classroom participation and the final examination are distributed according to their respective percentage values and converted into letter grades as follows:

90 to 100 points= A

80 to 89 points= B

70 to 79 points= C

60 to 69 points= D

0 to 59 points= F

The last date to drop the course with a grade of “W” will be Class 9 on March 9, 2010. After that date a grade will be assigned. (N.B.: The Aquinas Institute will not grant tuition refunds for those who withdraw from the course after registration).

Academic Dishonesty

“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, academic misconduct, falsification, fabrication, and the attempt to commit such a violation” (Student Handbook, p. 31). Refer to the Student Handbook for definitions and examples. A student involved in academic dishonesty will receive a 0/“F” for that assignment/examination. Based on the severity of the violation, academic dishonesty may be reported by the Instructor to the Director of the Aquinas Institute and/or the appropriate Dean in the manner outlined in the student handbook. Ultimately, a student found guilty of academic dishonesty may be dismissed from the Aquinas Institute and Our Lady of Holy Cross College.