Fall 2023 ,

PHILOSOPHY OF MAN

Building on Aristotle and St. Thomas's philosophical account of the human person, this class will focus principally on St. Thomas's teachings on man's natural and supernatural ends and the means proportioned thereto. To achieve this goal, we will engage in an in-depth study of the questions 1-5 from the Prima secundae of St. Thomas's Summa theologiae. And, to more fully make our own these great teachings, we will pursue a slow reading and discussion of Josef Pieper's Happiness and Contemplation.

View Course details

David Arias

Course begins on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, at 5pm Pacific (8pm Eastern), and goes for EIGHT consecutive Thursday.

NOTE: NO CLASS THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING

Texts: Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologiae Ia-IIae QQ. 1-5 Josef Pieper. Happiness and Contemplation

Course Content

Week One - 10/5

What is man?

Week Two - 10/12

Concerning man’s end(s)

Week Three - 10/19

Does happiness consist in riches, power, pleasure, or some other created good?

Week Four - 10/26

What is the nature of happiness?

Week Five - 11/2

Which things are necessary for happiness?

Week Six - 11/9

On the attainment of happiness

Week Seven - 11/16

Happiness and contemplation (part 1)

Week Eight - 11/30

Happiness and contemplation (part 2)

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

Message

Not Enrolled

Take this Course

Course Includes

8 Lessons
Course Certificate