The Thomistic Realism of Etienne Gilson

The Thomistic RealismofEtienne GilsonSteven SchultzPHL 620: EpistemologyDr. Philippe YatesSummer 2012Holy Apostles College and Seminary

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

Gilsons LifeBorn 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 UniversalsThe central dividing line in philosophy.Key question: What is the nature of ideas?How do universals exist?

Absolute RealismPhilosophy of Plato.Universals exist by themselves.Body is tomb of the soul.Only ideas exist in unchanging perfection.Individual things are only likenesses.

ConceptualismKants 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.

NominalismDenies existence of universals.First developed by Roscelin in 11th century.Ideas are puffs of breath.Only two realities for nominalist:MaterialistIdealist

Moderate RealismClassical 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

KnowingBeing

The Bridge ProblemObjectMind

Consciousness as Container

Thomas vs. Descartes

The Question of Consciousness

Bi-Polarity of ConsciousnessObjectMindAwareness

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