PHIL 626 Aquinas's On the Separate Substances
This course will consist of a slow reading of Thomas Aquinas's De substantiis separatis (1271). Written with the expressed theological intention of "showing the excellence of the holy angels as far as possible," this unfinished work is nevertheless predominantly philosophical in its investigation, examining the history and accuracy of philosophical views regarding the separate substances. The course will focus on metaphysical themes in this work, such as the existence and nature of the separate substances, their causal role in the order of the universe, and their relation to God. Special attention will be paid to Aquinas's treatment of his predecessors' views on these and other relevant issues. In addition, comparison will be made with his consideration of the separate substances in some of his other works, most notably the earlier De spiritualibus creaturis (1267-1268). Some familiarity both with Latin and with Aquinas's metaphysics is recommended, but not required.