DANTE’S ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Dante makes Thomas Aquinas the first voice of the Heaven of the Sun (Paradiso, Canto 10), and hence offers him as an emblem—perhaps the emblem—of redeemed creaturely wisdom. Dante recognized in Thomas the "teacher for everyone" (doctor communis) long before that usage became general; and so Dante reflects (and reflects deeply upon) Thomas' comprehensive Sacra Doctrina as he constructs his comprehensive allegory of love and responsibility. This course will read The Divine Comedy with an eye for important junctures at which Thomas' teaching proves especially relevant, and the course will address Dante's text in light of that teaching.
THIS COURSE HAS CONCLUDED. THE FOLLOWING LESSONS ARE PRE-RECORDED VIDEOS FROM THE SPRING OF 2021.
Anthony Esolen, trans., Dante, Inferno (New York: Modern Library, 2002). ISBN 13: 978-0812970067;
Dante, Purgatory (New York: Modern Library, 2003). ISBN 13: 978-0812971255;
Dante, Paradise (New York: Modern Library, 2004). ISBN 13: 978-0812977264
Course Content Texts:
Week 1 (Tuesday, 2/23/21): Inferno, Cantos 1 - 12 (Good and Evil in Human Action; principal reference, Summa theologiae Ia IIae QQ. 18 - 20);
Week 2 (Tuesday, 3/2/21): Inferno, Cantos 11 - 24 (The Architecture of Hell; principal reference, Commentary on the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle, Book VII);
Week 3 (Tuesday, 3/9/21): Inferno, Cantos 25 - 34 (Passion and Malice, Sin and Vice; principal reference, Summa theologiae Ia IIae QQ. 71 - 89);
Week 4 (Tuesday, 3/16/21): Purgatory, Cantos 1 - 11 (The Separated Soul; principal reference, Summa contra gentiles, IV, 91 - 95);
Week 5 (Tuesday, 3/23/21): Purgatory, Cantos 12 - 22 (Love and Will; principal reference, Summa theologiae Ia QQ. 82 - 83);
Week 6 (Tuesday, 3/30/21): Purgatory, Cantos 23 - 33 (Grace; principal reference, Summa theologiae IIa IIae QQ. 109 - 114);
Easter Week Recess
Week 7 (Tuesday, 4/13/21): Paradise, Cantos 1 - 17 (St. Thomas in Person in The Divine Comedy; references to the life of St. Thomas and to the voluntary poverty movement of the 13th century, and beyond, and to Summa theologiae IIa IIae QQ 183 - 189);
Week 8 (Tuesday, 4/20/21): Paradise, Cantos 18 - 33 (The Love that moves the sun and other stars; principal reference, Summa theologiae IIIa Q. 1).
Course Content
Week One - February 23, 2021
Week Two - March 2, 2021
Week Three - March 9, 2021
Week Four - March 16, 2021
Week Five - March 23 2021
Week Six - April 6, 2021
Week Seven - April 13, 2021
Week Eight - April 20, 2021
About Instructor
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Course Includes
- 8 Lessons
- Course Certificate
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