METAPHYSICS I

The last philosophical science to be tackled in the traditional order of learning is the science of metaphysics.  This most difficult and most noble philosophical science studies not only the first principles of thought and all of created reality, but also the uncreated first Cause, namely, God Himself.  In this course we shall endeavor to follow in the footsteps of the two greatest metaphysical masters of all time, Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas.

THIS COURSE HAS CONCLUDED. THE FOLLOWING LESSONS ARE PRE-RECORDED VIDEOS FROM THE LATE FALL OF 2021.

Required Texts:

Aristotle's Metaphysics

St. Thomas Aquinas's On Being and Essence

Please note that Aristotle's Metaphysics can be found online at: http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/metaphysics.html
 
Likewise St. Thomas's On Being and Essence can be found online at: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/DeEnte&Essentia.htm
 
(Please note that the paragraph numbers listed below for St. Thomas's On Being and Essence are taken from this online translation) 
 
Suggested Secondary Texts:

Etienne Gilson's Christian Philosophy: An Introduction

Josef Pieper's The Silence of St. Thomas.

Reading Requirements:
 
Week 1 - Aristotle's Metaphysics, Bk. 1, chaps. 1-2; Bk. 2, chaps. 1-3.
 
Week 2 - Aristotle's Metaphysics, Bk. 4, chaps. 1-4
 
Week 3 - Aristotle's Metaphysics, Bk. 5, chaps. 1-2
 
Week 4 - St. Thomas's On Being and Essence, #s 1-65
 
Week 5 - St. Thomas's On Being and Essence, #s 66-87
 
Week 6 - St. Thomas's On Being and Essence, #s 88-98
 
Week 7 - St. Thomas's Summa theologiae, I, q. 44, articles 1-4
 
Week 8 - St. Thomas's On Being and Essence, #s 99-113

About Instructor

David Arias

Dr. David Arias is a professor of philosophy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, NE. Prior to coming to Nebraska, Dr. Arias taught philosophy, theology, natural science, mathematics, literature, and various other subjects for eleven years at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA. Dr. Arias has published in both scholarly and popular venues. His main areas of scholarly interest are natural philosophy and metaphysics. On a more personal note, Dr. Arias is happily married to Jennaya Arias and together they are the blessed parents of thirteen children (nine boys and four girls).

6 Courses

Not Enrolled

Course Includes

  • 8 Lessons
  • Course Certificate

Responses