by Revista Espíritu | 166-2023
The paper deals with Aquinas’ critique of the Averroist and Avicennist interpretations of Aristotle, who stated (i) that the human intellect has a passive aspect in which the intelligible species are received, and an active aspect that abstracts the species from matter; and (ii) that those two aspects of the intellect are separate from matter and therefore are not corruptible as the body is. The position of St. Thomas is examined, which solidly concludes that the intellect is a power of the soul separated from matter, and that man is gifted with all the powers necessary to perform his natural operation, even if man has his intellect by participation from separated substances.
by Revista Espíritu | Uncategorized
In this paper, after a brief definition of mechanistic materialism, six difficulties are explained that neo-mechanism seems to be unable to solve and that, in consequence, seems to require its abandonment. Such are: (1) the unity of the human being, (2) the unity of consciousness, (3) the distinction between the cause and that without which the cause could not be a cause, (4) that thought and perception are not in the neurons, (5) that concepts –because of their immateriality– cannot be found in a material organ, and (6) free will.
by Revista Espíritu | Uncategorized
This paper demonstrates the underlying assumptions of Germain Grisez’s critique of the perverted faculty argument. In the first place, it establishes what formulations of the principle Grisez considered in his criticism (those of Father Henry Davis) and what his arguments are. Afterward it establishes his assumptions: (a) a latent ethical logicism; (b) a pragmatist conception of choice and the good; (c) a mistaken metaphysics of being, the good and the theoretical and practical principles. It underlines John Dewey’s influence. Lastly, it defends the classical formulation of the perverted faculty argument and even its rendition by Father Davis.
by Revista Espíritu | 148-2014
Last July, the II International Congress of Tomista Philosophy took place, organized by the Center for Tomistic Studies of the Santo Tomás University of Santiago, Chile. As part of the events, the first volume of the Latin-Castilian bilingual edition of the Commentary on Psalms was presented. First, Professor Enrique Alarcón, editor of the Latin text and author of the Introduction, intervened. Professor Carlos A. Casanova spoke later, responsible for the Spanish version and the text notes. We then offer the presentation of Professor Casanova and the text of Professor Alarcón’s Introduction.
