Natural Philosophy, Modern Science and Saint Thomas Aquinas

De: Donald Boland

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

This book is an attempt to rescue the reputations of Aristotle and Aquinas in the area of science and philosophy where they are subject to most criticism and even ridicule in modern times following the scientific revolution, namely, in Physics specially and Science generally.

It is necessary to note that objection to, and rejection of, their thought in this regard is not confined to scientists and philosophers of a non-religious or anti-religious cast of mind, but is also shared, if reluctantly, by those who would regard themselves as generally admirers of Aristotle as a theist philosopher, and even those who would declare themselves disciples of Aquinas in all other respects, going by the name of Thomists.

Most, including Thomists, would see the ancient and medieval notions of science, ascribed to Aristotle and Aquinas in this precise regard, as not able to be reconciled at all with modern thought, so that we might as well get used to the idea that the pre-modern notions of physics and science were seriously mistaken.

However, there are some Thomists, such as Maritain, who have endeavoured to argue for a solution to the apparent contradiction. The author, whilst prepared to defend the truth of Aristotle’s and Aquinas’ fundamental position and indeed to criticise the modern disdain for it, nonetheless disagrees also with the efforts of the Thomists to date to do the same.

Thus, it seems unlikely that the author’s arguments will be viewed with any favour on both sides, and his arguments must fall on barren ground. The readers on both sides, however, may be surprised.