Program :

Baccalaureate in Philosophy

Semester :

S5

Credits :

7

Teacher :

Dr Kuttikadan John Lindo

Aim

The course envisages a discussion on reality or being. First of all, the very notion, nature, method and importance of metaphysics are exposed against the background of various criticisms hailing especially in the history of Western Philosophy. Metaphysics is Transcendental properties like unity, truth, goodness and beauty are seen as modalities to understand being in depth. Again, various themes like analogy of being, existence and essence, substance and accidents, matter and form, act and potency, supposit and person, etc., are brought to light. The world of finite beings and the transcendental possibility of the very existence of God are also referred to in a Christian perspective. the study of causality in its four aspects —material, formal, efficient and final cause—with a special emphasis to the First Cause. Since theology is the goal and conclusion of metaphysics, it is always taught in its fulfilment in theology. Only with the study of the First Cause —God— in philosophical theology will metaphysics fully acquire its character as science, understood as knowledge by causes.

References

  1. Bogliolo, L., Metaphysics (1987)
  2. Hamlyn, D.W. Metaphysics (1985)
  3. Coreth, E., Metaphysics (1968)
  4. Aquinas T., Metaphysics (Henry Regeery Co., 1953)
  5. Bostock, D., Aristotle Metaphysics (Oxford, 1995)
  6. Walsh, W.H., Metaphysics (1963)
  7. Alvira, T, Clavell, LL, Melendo, T., Metaphysics, Sinag-Tala, Manila 1991.
  8. Aertsen, J., Medieval Philosophy and the Trascendentals: The Case of Thomas Aquinas, Brill, Leiden 1996.
  9. Wippel, J. F., The Metaphysical Thought of Thomas Aquinas. From Finite Being to Uncreated Being, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington 2000.