29: Neo-Thomism

1. Theological Category and Placement

Category: Philosophical Theology

Neo-Thomism is positioned within Philosophical Theology as a revival and development of Thomistic philosophy and theology. It seeks to apply the metaphysical and theological principles of Thomas Aquinas to contemporary philosophical and theological questions, often engaging modern scientific and philosophical challenges while maintaining fidelity to classical scholastic methods (Maritain, 1947).

2. Introduction

Neo-Thomism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a movement within the Catholic Church aimed at renewing theological and philosophical discourse through the works of Thomas Aquinas. It was encouraged by Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Aeterni Patris (1879), which called for a return to Aquinas as a primary source for Catholic intellectual life. Neo-Thomism provides a systematic framework that integrates faith and reason, addressing issues in metaphysics, ethics, and theology (Maritain, 1947).

3. Historical Development

Neo-Thomism arose as a response to modernism, secularism, and various philosophical trends seen as threats to traditional Catholic doctrine. Key figures such as Jacques Maritain and Étienne Gilson led efforts to reinterpret and apply Thomistic thought in contemporary contexts. Neo-Thomism became dominant in Catholic seminaries and universities during the early to mid-20th century and continues to influence Catholic theology and philosophy today (Maritain, 1947).

4. Core Doctrines and Theological Emphases

  • Faith and Reason: Harmonious relationship between philosophical reason and theological faith.
  • Metaphysics: Emphasis on being (esse) as central to understanding God and creation.
  • Natural Law: Objective moral order accessible through reason.
  • Divine Simplicity and Attributes: Classical Thomistic account of God’s nature.
  • Ethics and Human Flourishing: Teleological understanding of human purpose grounded in natural law.
  • Scholastic Method: Use of systematic, rational argumentation in theology.

5. Scriptural and Theological Foundations

While grounded in Scripture and Tradition, Neo-Thomism focuses on the integration of these with Aristotelian philosophy as developed by Aquinas. It draws from biblical anthropology and ethics but approaches theology through metaphysical and philosophical categories that allow dialogue with modern thought (Maritain, 1947).

6. Influence and Impact

Neo-Thomism profoundly shaped 20th-century Catholic theology, education, and social teaching. It provided intellectual resources for engaging modern philosophy and science, influenced papal teachings, and remains central to Catholic doctrinal formation. It has also impacted contemporary debates on ethics, natural law, and the philosophy of religion (Maritain, 1947).

7. Representative Theologians and Key Works

  • Jacques Maritain – The Degrees of Knowledge
  • Étienne Gilson – Scholar of medieval philosophy and Thomism
  • Pope Leo XIII – Aeterni Patris (1879)
  • Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange – 20th-century Thomist theologian

8. Conclusion

Neo-Thomism represents a critical renewal of Thomistic philosophy and theology, engaging modern intellectual challenges while maintaining classical metaphysical and theological insights. Its enduring influence shapes contemporary Catholic thought and philosophical theology broadly.

9. References

  • Maritain, J. (1947). The Degrees of Knowledge. University of Notre Dame Press.
  • Pope Leo XIII. (1879). Aeterni Patris (Encyclical).
  • Gilson, É. (1955). The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
  • Garrigou-Lagrange, R. (1948). The Three Ages of the Interior Life. Catholic University of America Press.
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