Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation Essay Example

Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation? Essay A Thomasian Accountant Viewpoint Reaction on the Article â€Å"Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation? † Cl. Marc Will R. Lim, SDB It gives me hard time to react on an article written by someone whom I perceived belongs to the rule makers, standard bearers and theory setters. Having graduated from a Pontifical University run by Dominicans and with a degree afar from the course which subjects everything to critical reflection, I found myself on the verge of completely adhering. But, now after obtaining a clear purpose, to provide a clearer understanding and appreciation, I am now led to construe and not to merely concur but, to subject it with proper scrutinizing, at least to the point of providing stronger supports to the claim or to totally pose arguments that could attest its inappropriateness. The question â€Å"Is Thomistic Philosophy relevant in Seminary Formation† does not pose simple query but rather more so it entails a deeper search for significance, the suitability in terms of the relationship between two subject matters, namely the Thomistic Philosophy and the Seminary Formation notwithstanding, of course its timeliness. These two factors are main objectives from which I am seeking to be answered so as I will remain or deviate to the conclusion of the respectable black friar. Relevance, in accounting parlance finds its implication primarily in decision-making. Alone affects greatly a financial decision. We will write a custom essay sample on Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In addition, together with timeliness it finds its fullness to give a substantial aid. However, taking them both can make precision and reliability suffer. Relevance signifies suitability considering all other factors affecting. For example, in the decision to replace equipment that has been used for the past six years, the original cost of the equipment does not have relevance. In other words, the original cost is irrelevant or is not relevant in the decision to replace the equipment. What will have relevance are the future amounts, such as the cost of the new equipment, and the savings that will occur when the old equipment is replaced. But actually, relevance regardless of any field purports pertinence to the matter at hand, for it connotes to significance. In itself it proves much the point of appropriateness since it indicates the connection of prevailing subjects. This same word is being used to strike the suitability of the Thomistic Philosophy in seminary formation. This is a big question that could seriously affect as with regards to its continuous existence. However, if answered fittingly, appreciation and comprehension will follow suit. So, to make the term relevance clear allow me to cite how the esteemed Fr. Gonzales pointed it on his article. And it goes â€Å"To my mind, to be relevant is to be rooted in the fundamentals, in the basics. † And now, since we are speaking here of the formation in the seminary it is noteworthy to quote the clear stand of the Holy Mother Church regarding philosophy education. The philosophical disciplines are to be taught in such a way that the students are first of all led to acquire a solid and coherent knowledge of man, the world, and of God, relying on a philosophical patrimony which is perennially valid and taking into account the philosophical investigations of later ages. This is especially true of those investigations which exercise a greater influence in their own nations. Account should also be taken of the more recent progress of the sciences. The net result should be that the students, correctly understanding the characteristics of the contemporary mind, will be duly prepared for dialogue with men of their time. The history of philosophy should be so taught that the students, while reaching the ultimate principles of the various systems, will hold on to what is proven to be true therein and will be able to detect the roots of errors and to refute them. In the very manner of teaching there should be stirred up in the students a love of rigorously searching for the truth and of maintaining and demonstrating it, together with an honest recognition of the limits of human knowledge. Attention must be carefully drawn to the necessary connection between philosophy and the true problems of life, as well as the questions which preoccupy the minds of the students. Likewise students should be helped to perceive the links between the subject-matter of philosophy and the mysteries of salvation which are considered in theology under the higher light of faith. Well, without being prejudice, my accounting inclination dictates to me that this stand where the Church resolve as Her own provides a clear mandate on how philosophy is vital and will remain vital handmaid of Theology, which is the climax of the decade long preparatory of priesthood. Moreover, Philosophy is the arm’s length support needed to give a deeper understanding of the wide-range formation, since it prepares at least to have a strong framework in the art of reasoning. In line with this, the Church in its quest to equip at least its own battalion of soldiers made a clear distinction on the particular and necessary field of Philosophy by hailing in particular the school of thought of the great Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. Pope Leo XIII on his encyclical, Aeterni Patris, states that; â€Å"And we know how in those great homes of human wisdom, as in his own kingdom, Thomas reigned supreme; and that the minds of all, of teachers as well as of taught, rested in wonderful harmony under the shield and authority of the Angelic Doctor. Even before the Second Vatican Council, St. Thomas’ way was hailed which on this encyclical summed up all other praises. Yet, this contention alone will not suffice, the question remains clear particularly on its relevance Nevertheless, on a hindsight we can never neglect for a fact that Thomistic Philosophy alone suffices the needs priestly seminary formation entails, aside from a fact that it provides and nourished on the strong and robust food of doctrine, that so, mighty in strength and armed at all points, they may become habituated to advance the cause of religion with force and udgment. Pope Leo XII even added â€Å"Now, We think that, apart from the supernatural help of God, nothing is better calculated to heal those minds and to bring them into favor with the Catholic faith than the solid doctrine of the Fathers and the Scholastics, who so clearly and forcibly demonstrate the firm foundations of the faith, its divine origin, its certain truth, the arguments that sust ain it, the benefits it has conferred on the human race, and its perfect accord with reason, in a manner to satisfy completely minds open to persuasion, however unwilling and repugnant. But then it can never be disregarded that the Magisterium during Vatican II almost spelled the end of the Thomistic Revival. Yet still in 1998, John Paul II issued an encyclical called Fides et Ratio which may be regarded as the charter of the Thomism of the third millennium. Although the research might be too limited, with sources too few and time so constraint, I suppose that as long as the Thomistic Philosophy provides the ultimate purpose needed to answer the requirements of the formation it will remain perennial and as long as it continuously aids in strengthening the faith, perhaps there will be no other else relevant enough. Then and then Thomism Philosophy will continue to enjoy it supremacy. [ 1 ]. http://blog. accountingcoach. com/accounting-relevance/#ixzz0LUgKksRD [ 2 ]. Is Thomistic Philosophy Relevant in Seminary Formation? , Fr. Enrico Gonzales, O. P. , Ph. D [ 3 ]. Optatam Totius, 15 [ 4 ]. Aeterni Patris, 20 [ 5 ]. Cf. Aeterni Patris, 27 [ 6 ]. Aeterni Patris, 27