Thomas Aquinas: Summa Contra Gentiles

question 6

Multiple Choice

Thomas Aquinas: Summa Contra Gentiles
Aquinas is notable for combining the metaphysics of Aristotle with the theology of Christianity. He begins with the Aristotelian idea that all human action aims at some end, and that this end is the good of action. In the case of human beings, the good at which our action aims is happiness. Our ultimate happiness must be something that we seek for its own sake, that is complete in itself, and that pertains to our intellectual nature. Aquinas argues that these constraints rule out many popular conceptions of happiness. For example, happiness cannot be pleasure, because pleasure exists for the sake of the operations of the body, and happiness is not an operation of the body. Happiness cannot be honor, glory, or wealth, for all of these things depend on external factors, and happiness is complete in itself. Moreover, happiness cannot consist of acts of the moral virtues, for such acts are directed toward external goals-courage, for example is directed toward victory in battle-but happiness is not directed toward any further end.
Aquinas endorses Aristotle's view that happiness consists in a contemplation, and contemplation of the highest object. Here Aquinas diverges from Aristotle by insisting that the highest object of contemplation is God. Aquinas concludes that the ultimate end of human action, and man's highest happiness, consists in contemplation of God, and that all human occupations should be regarded as existing for the sake of this end.
-Aquinas holds actions are differentiated by:

• A) their consequences.
• B) their active principle.
• C) what the agent thinks he or she is doing.
• D) all of the above.

---

Definitions:

Positively Skewed

Describes a distribution of data where the tail is longer on the right side, indicating a larger number of observations are below the mean.

Negatively Skewed

Describes a distribution of data where the tail is on the left side of the distribution, indicating that the majority of data points are located to the right of the mean.

Research Methods

Techniques or procedures used to gather and analyze information to increase understanding of a topic or issue.

Experimental Designs

Refers to the plan and structure of an investigation aimed at testing hypotheses through controlled and manipulated variables.