St. Thomas Aquinas the Summa Theologica - 1131 Words

AP European History May 14, 2011 St. Thomas Aquinas: The Summa Theologica St. Thomas Aquinas’s â€Å"The Summa Theologica† is a document meant to summarize the difference between divine laws and human laws. This document explains whether these two types of laws are just or unjust. Aquinas demonstrates how laws are the reason for the common good which is made by those who care for their community, and how all the laws come from divine reasons which according to the document are understood by men. The first part of this document analyzes how laws are just or unjust depending on the impact they have on our conscience. Aquinas seems to represent the idea that just laws are in our minds because they are the laws of God and they are just†¦show more content†¦Aquinas replied to this by saying that there are laws that oppose to God’s commandments and that these commandments are way beyond the extent of men’s power, hence we should not obey human because they oppose God’s. The last objection made by this author was th at human laws make men lose his personality and brings him harm, and that they don’t stay in our minds because we know that is common sense not to do certain things in life that create oppression and violence. For example, we know that one of God’s commandments says that we should not kill and as soon as we gain conscience of life this stays in our minds. Aquinas replied to this objection by saying that is true and that if men disobey unjust laws he can avoid a greater consequence. According to Aquinas changing a law should only be done when the new one benefits towards the common good. However, changing these laws will affect society and the common good because we are already accustomed to these laws whether they are good or bad. When a society sees that laws are being changed they are going to think that things can be easily changed from now and on and that’s not a good thing. When any law is changed the power of that law decreases as well as the custom. As result of this human laws shouldn’t be changed unless it benefits the commonShow MoreRelatedAquinas’ and Dante’s Common Ideals1153 Words   |  5 PagesAquinas’ and Dante’s Common Ideals While St. Thomas Aquinas established himself as the New Aristotle of the 13th century, Dante Alighieri established himself the new Virgil. The two men made an immense impact in their respective fields (poetry and philosophy). Yet surprisingly, the two share common ideals. In each of their respective literary and philosophical views, they establish the importance of the relationship between nature and grace. In Dante’s Inferno the unique relationship ofRead MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas On The Existence Of God1048 Words   |  5 PagesSt. Thomas Aquinas is considered to be one of the greatest minds of the western world as well as one of the greatest theologians. 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