Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (e) How does Aquinas' account of Faith as "an intellectual assent” reconcile the juxtaposition between Reason and Faith? Discuss.

How to Approach

The question asks to discuss how Aquinas's conception of faith as "an intellectual assent" reconciles reason and faith. The approach should begin by defining Aquinas's view of faith and his understanding of reason. Then, elaborate on how these two are not contradictory but complementary, emphasizing the role of reason in the "preambles of faith" and faith in comprehending "mysteries of faith." Conclude by highlighting the underlying unity of truth, stemming from God as the ultimate source.

Model Answer

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Introduction

During the medieval period, the relationship between reason and faith was a central philosophical and theological challenge. Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a pivotal scholastic philosopher, famously sought to reconcile this perceived tension, defining faith not as a blind acceptance but as "an act of the intellect assenting to the Divine Truth at the command of the will moved by the grace of God" (Summa Theologica, II-II, Q. 2, Art. 9). This concept of faith as an "intellectual assent" was crucial in establishing a harmonious relationship between human reason and divine revelation, ensuring that faith was seen as rational and complementary to, rather than contradictory of, human intellect.

Aquinas's Reconciliation of Reason and Faith

Aquinas's genius lay in his systematic approach to integrating Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, positing that both reason and faith originate from God and therefore cannot genuinely contradict each other. Any apparent conflict, he argued, must stem from flawed reasoning or a misunderstanding of revelation.

The Dual Role of Reason and Faith

Aquinas delineated distinct yet interconnected roles for reason and faith:

Reason's Role (Preambles of Faith): Reason is capable of establishing certain truths about God and the world through natural observation and logical deduction. These truths, such as the existence of God, His unity, and His power (as demonstrated in his "Five Ways"), are considered "preambles of faith." They are accessible to natural human intellect and serve as a foundation, making faith a reasonable pursuit. Reason prepares the mind for faith by demonstrating the credibility of divine revelation.
Faith's Role (Mysteries of Faith): Faith assents to truths that are beyond the full grasp of human reason, known as "mysteries of faith." Examples include the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection. While reason cannot fully comprehend or prove these mysteries, it can show that they are not irrational or contradictory. Faith provides access to these higher truths through divine grace and revelation, elevating human understanding beyond its natural limits.

Intellectual Assent and Divine Truth

For Aquinas, faith as an "intellectual assent" signifies a voluntary act of the intellect, guided by the will, to accept revealed truths. This assent is not coerced but is a free choice to believe, supported by the evidence of reason (the preambles) and motivated by God's grace. It means:

Voluntary Acceptance: The intellect chooses to believe, moved by the will's love for God and desire for ultimate truth.
Cognitive Content: Faith involves believing specific propositions about God and His creation, which are objectively true.
Divine Authority: The ultimate ground for belief is the authority of God, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.

This framework ensures that faith is not a departure from rationality but an extension of it. Reason explores what is naturally knowable, while faith illuminates what is supernaturally revealed, both ultimately converging on the singular truth of God.

Conclusion

Aquinas's account of faith as an "intellectual assent" effectively reconciles reason and faith by positing them as two distinct yet harmonious paths to truth, both originating from God. Reason, through its natural capacity, establishes the credibility of faith and explores truths about the divine accessible to human intellect. Faith, in turn, accepts supernatural mysteries that transcend reason, providing a higher and more certain form of knowledge. This synthesis avoids both fideism and rationalism, affirming that faith is a rational act that completes and elevates human understanding, leading to a more comprehensive grasp of reality and divine wisdom.

Answer Length

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Intellectual Assent (Assensus Fidei)

In Aquinas's philosophy, this refers to the act of the intellect agreeing to divine truth, an act initiated by the will and influenced by God's grace. It signifies a conscious and voluntary acceptance of revealed truths.

Preambles of Faith

These are truths about God and reality that can be known through natural reason, such as the existence of God or the immortality of the soul. Aquinas argued these truths provide a rational foundation for accepting further revealed truths.

Key Statistics

According to a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center, roughly 84% of the world's population identifies with a religious group, underscoring the enduring relevance of faith in human societies and the historical efforts, like Aquinas's, to integrate it with intellectual pursuits.

Source: Pew Research Center, "The Changing Global Religious Landscape" (2018)

Examples

Five Ways to Prove God's Existence

In his *Summa Theologica*, Aquinas offered five arguments (quinque viae) for the existence of God, derived from observable phenomena in the natural world. These "Five Ways" (e.g., argument from motion, causality, contingency) exemplify how reason can establish "preambles of faith," making belief in God's existence intellectually defensible.

The Mystery of the Trinity

The Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity (God as three persons in one divine being) is a prime example of a "mystery of faith." Aquinas maintained that while reason cannot prove the Trinity, it can explain that this concept, though beyond full comprehension, is not inherently contradictory to rational thought, thus preparing the intellect to accept it through faith.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does Aquinas suggest that faith is irrational if reason cannot fully grasp certain mysteries?

No, Aquinas explicitly states that faith is not irrational. While some truths of faith (mysteries) surpass reason's full comprehension, reason can demonstrate that these mysteries are not contradictory or illogical. Faith, therefore, is not against reason, but "above" it, complementing its limitations.

▶How did Aquinas's view differ from earlier thinkers like Augustine regarding faith and reason?

While both acknowledged the importance of faith and reason, Augustine (354-430 AD) emphasized "faith seeking understanding" (credo ut intelligam), suggesting faith precedes and guides reason. Aquinas, building on this, provided a more systematic and distinct role for reason's independent capabilities, particularly through his embrace of Aristotelian logic, arguing that reason could discover significant truths about God even without the aid of faith.

Topics Covered

PhilosophyTheologyMedieval PhilosophyThomas AquinasFaithReasonTheologyPhilosophy of Religion

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