The Thomistic Realism of Etienne Gilson Steven Schultz

The Thomistic Realism of Etienne Gilson Steven Schultz PHL 620: Epistemology Dr. Philippe Yates Summer 2012 Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Summary • • • Background on Etienne Gilson. Overview of competing epistemologies. Critique of Cartesianism. Overview of Thomist Realism. Why does it matter?

Gilson’s Life • Born in Paris, June 13, 1884. • Minor seminary at Notre-Dame-des-Champs. • Began reading Descartes during military service. • Began academic work in philosophy. • Service during World War I. • Began postwar academic career. • Died on September 19, 1978.

Gilson the Thomist?

A Question of Universals • The central dividing line in philosophy. • Key question: What is the nature of ideas? • How do universals exist?

Absolute Realism • • • Philosophy of Plato. Universals exist by themselves. Body is tomb of the soul. Only ideas exist in unchanging perfection. Individual things are only “likenesses. ”

Conceptualism • • • Kant’s modification of absolute realism. Universals in mind as “form” or “category. ” Universals merely mental constructs. Outside world unknowable. Only know the Phenomenon. Idealists: no outside reality.

Nominalism • • Denies existence of universals. First developed by Roscelin in 11 th century. Ideas are “puffs of breath. ” Only two realities for nominalist: – Materialist – Idealist

Moderate Realism • • Classical Aristotelian and Thomistic position. School of thought defended by Gilson. Universals in mind; individuals outside. Spirituality of intellect; matter/form composition.

Dismissal of Scholasticism

Descartes’ Reversal Being Knowing

The Bridge Problem Mind Object

Consciousness as Container

Thomas vs. Descartes The Question of Consciousness

Bi-Polarity of Consciousness Awareness Object Mind

The Idealist Catoblepas

Scholastic Epistemology?

Realism over Idealism

Why Does It Matter? Ideas have consequences.

Final Thoughts For to love wisdom is also to love science, and prudence; it is to seek peace in the inner accord of each mind with itself and in the mutual accord of all minds. -- Etienne Gilson