ML: The actuality of Thomas Aquinas' thought WF-FI-212-WMMAZ25
In 2025 we celebrated the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274). St. Thomas is considered one of the greatest thinkers in the history of Western civilization. But, at the end of the last century, St. Thomas was condemned to oblivion. However, for the past 30 years, interest in St. Thomas has been revived.
In our lecture, we will examine the extent to which Aquinas' intellectual achievements are still relevant and fruitful today and can be a remedy for the crisis of contemporary culture.
The topics of the lecture focus largely on anthropological issues, as people of our time seem to be urgently searching for foundations on which to base their lives.
These foundations are (1) philosophical knowledge about the world, man, and God, (2) building the foundations of a culture that fosters personal development, and (3) gaining certainty about the meaning of human life, including in its ultimate dimension. During the lectures, we will try to rationally justify these important foundations of human life, referring to the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas.
E-Learning
Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Poziom przedmiotu
Symbol/Symbole kierunkowe efektów uczenia się
Typ przedmiotu
Wymagania wstępne
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
FI2_W03 - The student recognizes specialized terminology in English-language texts concerning the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas and distinguishes the specificity of Thomistic language from other currents of classical philosophy.
FI2_W04 - The student explains the connections between metaphysics, ethics, and anthropology in the thought of Thomas Aquinas and interprets their relevance in light of contemporary philosophical subdisciplines.
FI2_U07- The student translates philosophical texts and statements concerning the thought of Thomas Aquinas from Polish into English, maintaining terminological precision and the logical structure of argumentation.
FI2_U11-The student applies language skills in accordance with level B2+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, including communicating through various channels and techniques with both specialists and non-specialists, preparing academic texts (e.g., abstract, summary, short article), delivering oral presentations, conducting and summarizing discussions while motivating participants to engage, and organizing the learning process of others.
FI2_K06 -The student systematically develops their language competence and independently uses available resources and tools for further advancement of their language skills.
Kryteria oceniania
Kryteria oceny końcowej / Final Assessment Criteria
Final grade composition:
1. Written test - 70%
Test format:
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Written in English
- Essay-style questions on Thomistic philosophy
Test content:
- Knowledge of Thomistic metaphysics and its contemporary relevance - 25%
- Understanding of key concepts (being, transcendentals, Five Ways,
God's nature, human soul, happiness) - 25%
- Critical analysis and application to contemporary issues - 20%
Written test = 35 pkt (maximum)
2. Active participation in discussions - 20%
The instructor evaluates students' engagement in English-language
discussions:
- Very active (regular, substantive contributions in English) = 9-10 pkt
- Active (frequent contributions) = 7-8 pkt
- Moderately active (occasional contributions) = 5-6 pkt
- Minimally active (rare contributions) = 3-4 pkt
- No participation = 0-2 pkt
Participation = 10 pkt (maximum)
3. Preparation of assigned readings - 10%
Regular preparation of assigned texts from Aquinas and secondary sources:
- Consistently well-prepared (demonstrates thorough reading) = 5 pkt
- Usually prepared = 3-4 pkt
- Occasionally prepared = 1-2 pkt
- Rarely prepared = 0 pkt
Reading preparation = 5 pkt (maximum)
Point conversion to grades:
Written test (35 pkt) + Participation (10 pkt) + Reading (5 pkt) = Total 50 pkt
46-50 pkt = 5.0 (very good / bardzo dobry)
41-45 pkt = 4.5 (good plus / dobry plus)
36-40 pkt = 4.0 (good / dobry)
31-35 pkt = 3.5 (satisfactory plus / dostateczny plus)
26-30 pkt = 3.0 (satisfactory / dostateczny)
0-25 pkt = 2.0 (fail / niedostateczny)
Detailed criteria for written test assessment:
Grade 5.0 (very good) - 33-35 pkt from test:
- Excellent knowledge of required readings (Kreeft, Davies, Clarke, Mazanka)
- Deep understanding of Thomistic metaphysics and its foundations
- Precise use of English philosophical terminology: being, essence, existence,
act and potency, substance, accident, transcendentals (truth, goodness,
beauty, unity), Five Ways, Divine simplicity, divine attributes, human soul,
body-soul unity, happiness (beatitudo), natural law
- Thorough understanding of the Five Ways and ability to defend them
against objections
- Critical analysis of Aquinas' relevance for contemporary culture and philosophy
- Ability to apply Thomistic principles to modern philosophical problems
- Clear, well-structured essay with logical argumentation
- Language proficiency at B2+ level (grammar, vocabulary, style)
Grade 4.0 (good) - 25-29 pkt from test:
- Good knowledge of required readings
- Sound understanding of main Thomistic concepts
- Correct use of English philosophical terminology
- Ability to explain the Five Ways and their significance
- Understanding of basic anthropological issues (soul, happiness)
- Some application to contemporary issues
- Well-organized essay with clear language
- Minor language errors
Grade 3.0 (satisfactory) - 18-22 pkt from test:
- Basic knowledge of selected readings
- General orientation in Thomistic philosophy
- Superficial knowledge of key concepts
- Simplified explanation of the Five Ways
- Limited understanding of contemporary relevance
- Essay structure needs improvement
- Language errors but maintains communicability
Grade 2.0 (fail) - 0-17 pkt from test:
- Lack of knowledge of required readings
- Unable to explain basic Thomistic concepts
- Incorrect use or absence of terminology
- Cannot explain the Five Ways
- No coherent argumentation
- Serious language errors preventing B2 level communication
Test procedure:
1. Student receives 3-4 essay questions
2. Student answers in English (90 minutes)
3. Expected length: 4-6 pages
4. No materials allowed (closed-book test)
Course completion requirements:
1. Attendance at minimum 75% of classes (2 absences allowed)
2. Reading assigned texts from Aquinas and secondary sources
3. Active participation in English-language discussions
4. Passing the written test in English
5. Obtaining minimum 26 points (grade 3.0)
Notes:
- Lecture conducted entirely in English
- Discussions in English
- Written test in English
- List of test questions will be provided 2 weeks before exam session
- Students should take notes in English from lectures and readings
- Recommended: prepare a glossary of Thomistic terms (English-Polish)
- Consultations available for difficulties with English philosophical texts
- Course develops B2+ language competencies according to CEFR
- Required readings will be made available to students on the e-learning
platform.
Literatura
- Peter Kreeft „Summa Of The Summa”, Ignatius Press 2010, https://www.fisheaters.com/srpdf/Kreeft-Suumma.pdf
- Brian Davies, „The Thought of Thomas Aquinas, Oxford 1993.
- Paweł Mazanka, „Three sources of contemporary secularism in European culture”, w: „Some Questions of Classical Philosophy”, edited by: J. Krokos, P. Mazanka, Warszawa 2008, s. 77- 98.
- Norris Clarke, „The One and the Many. A Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics”, Notre Dame 2001, fragments.
- Gilbert K. Chesterton, "St. Thomas Aquinas", 2011, fragments.
- Peeter Kreeft, „Back to Virtue. TraditionMoral Wisdom for Modern Moral Confusion, San Francisco 1992, fragments.
The literature will be made available to students.
Więcej informacji
Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb: