Thomas Aquinas : teacher of humanity : proceedings from the first conference of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas held in the United States of America

Pope John Paul II bestowed upon St. Thomas Aquinas the accolade of Doctor Humanitatis, or “Doctor of Humanity,” because he was ready to affirm the good or value of culture wherever it is to be found. Thomas is a teacher for our time because of his “assertions on the dignity of the human person and the use of his reason.” (“Inter Munera Academiarum,” 1999). This collection of papers explores the various philosophical and theological aspects of the thought of both Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II pertaining to this theme of “teacher of humanity.” The topics discussed here include the political praxis of Karol Wojtyla; Gadamer on common sense; prudence and subsidiarity; embodied cognition; the knowledge of God; the commandment of love; Pope Francis on the Beatitudes; the new evangelization; Thomism and modern cosmology; and the challenges of transhumanism and gender ideology. The papers were presented at a conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, in 2013, cosponsored by the Center for Thomistic Studies, the John Paul II Forum, and the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas. This work will help to realize in its small way the hopes of Saint John Paul II concerning St. Thomas Aquinas: “It is to be hoped that now and in the future there will be those who continue to cultivate this great philosophical and theological tradition [of Aquinas] for the good of both the Church and humanity.” (Fides et ratio §74) Additionally, it will undoubtedly be of interest to all participants in the cultivation of the thought of Thomas Aquinas, John Paul II, and the dialogue between Thomism and the modern world. Foreword / John P. Hittinger Introduction: Pope John Paul II's designation of St. Thomas Aquinas as Doctor Humanitatis / John P. Hittinger Apostolic letter: Inter Munera Academiarum / Saint John Paul II Pt. I: Karol Wojtyla. Thomas Aquinas: teacher of humanity / Francis Cardinal George St. John Paul II's Thomism: why St. Thomas Aquinas is a teacher of humanity / Matthew L. Lamb The political praxis of Karol Wojtyla and St. Thomas Aquinas / Rocco Buttiglione What does it mean to be "incommunicable?" and why does it matter? / Paul Kucharski Wojtyla: nature, person, and teleology / Brian Kemple Pt. II: Humanism. Thomas Aquinas, wisdom, and human dignity: philosophy and beyond / Lawrence Dewan Sitting at the feet of the master: reading the Summa Theologiae as written provides holistic formation / John D. Love Aquinas and humanity in the cosmos / Thomas J. McLaughlin Is Thomism a "humanism?" / Steven A. Long The passions: some key Thomistic distinctions / Jeffrey Froula Humor, hope, and the human being / Margaret I. Hughes Pt. III: Transhumanism. The roots of transhumanism / Steven Jensen Thomas Aquinas: teacher of transhumanity? / John Boyer & Geoffrey Meadows A Thomistic appraisal of human enchancement technologies / Jason T. Eberl None Pt. IV: Knowledge. St. Thomas Aquinas on the acquisition of knowledge / Richard J. Dougherty Aquinas on a general knowledge of God possessed by most people / John F. X. Knasas The challenge of the Thomistic Sensus Communis: a hermeneutic view / Mirela Oliva Hylomorphic dualism and the challenge of embodied cognition / Bruce Paolozzi Grounding natural law without human nature / Michael J. Deem Pt. V: Love, marriage, and gender. Gender reality vs. gender ideology / Sr. Prudence Allen Freedom, justice, and the authoritative nature of marriage / James M. Jacobs Aquinas as teacher of humanity: lessons of truth and love / R. Mary Hayden Lemmons Pt. VI: Politics. Aquinas on prudence, law and subsidiarity / Gavin T. Colvert The future of western civilization according to Jacques Maritain / Juan J. Álvarez Álvarez Educating the whole person: a realist philosophical critique of the concept of science literacy / John F. Morris Pt. VII: Theology. Verbum et Principium in Aquinas's Commentary on St. John: a prelude to philosophical anthropology / James G. Hanink Theology, philosophy, and history: the challenge of Bernard Lonergan and Étienne Gilson for the new evangelization / Hugh Williams Go teach all nations: some reflections on the role of St. Thomas Aquinas in the new evangelization / E. M. Macierowski The beatitudes: Pope Francis' programme / Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo Afterword. Homily on St. Thomas Aquinas / Rev. Victor Brezik. Pope John Paul II bestowed upon St. Thomas Aquinas the accolade of Doctor Humanitatis, or Doctor of Humanity, because he was ready to affirm the good or value of culture wherever it is to be found. Thomas is a teacher for our time because of his assertions on the dignity of the human person and the use of his reason. (Inter Munera Academiarum, 1999). This collection of papers explores the various philosophical and theological aspects of the thought of both Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II pertaining to this theme of teacher of humanity. The topics discussed here include the political praxis of Karol Wojtyla; Gadamer on common sense; prudence and subsidiarity; embodied cognition; the knowledge of God; the commandment of love; Pope Francis on the Beatitudes; the new evangelization; Thomism and modern cosmology; and the challenges of transhumanism and gender ideology. The papers were presented at a conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, in 2013, cosponsored by the Center for Thomistic Studies, the John Paul II Forum, and the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas. This work will help to realize in its small way the hopes of Saint John Paul II concerning St. Thomas Aquinas: It is to be hoped that now and in the future there will be those who continue to cultivate this great philosophical and theological tradition [of Aquinas] for the good of both the Church and humanity. (Fides et ratio 74) Additionally, it will undoubtedly be of interest to all participants in the cultivation of the thought of Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II, and the dialogue between Thomism and the modern world.