PHIL 769 Aquinas and His Contemporaries on Conscience and Prudence
This course concentrates on Thomas Aquinas's accounts of conscience and prudence, the guides of moral action in the particular. Historically, these notions have different origins (patristic theology vs. classical Greek philosophy). They are attributed similar and yet importantly different roles in medieval ethics. By contrasting these two notions, we can attain a better understanding of the nature of each. Comparing Aquinas's position with rival accounts (especially St. Bonaventure's teaching on conscience and Duns Scotus's and William of Ockham's accounts of prudence) will allow for a better grasp of Aquinas's position and for a deeper philosophical assessment of its key points.