Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference
This essay examines the relation between scientific inquiry and philosophical thought in the context of a Thomistic account of human sexual difference. I begin by considering Thomas’s own view and its explicit though brief appeal to biological observation. In particular, I focus on his claim that be...
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MDPI AG
2024-08-01
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| author | John DeSilva Finley |
| author_facet | John DeSilva Finley |
| author_sort | John DeSilva Finley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This essay examines the relation between scientific inquiry and philosophical thought in the context of a Thomistic account of human sexual difference. I begin by considering Thomas’s own view and its explicit though brief appeal to biological observation. In particular, I focus on his claim that being male or female stems more from a substance’s matter than from its form. Then, I look at a fairly recent exchange between William Newton and myself, in which, drawing upon Thomistic thought in the context of contemporary science, we argued opposing positions. Mine held that sex stems more from form than from matter, while Newton maintained that Thomas’s original position is better. In reviewing this exchange, I note strengths in Newton’s argument and suggest a further distinction, even while concluding that my fundamental position is still a better account. Lastly, I turn to further questions and the necessity of continued partnership between philosophy and science. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78f53391e0194eabaad674b1a413c3d1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-78f53391e0194eabaad674b1a413c3d12025-08-20T01:55:49ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-08-01159102610.3390/rel15091026Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual DifferenceJohn DeSilva Finley0Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA 93060, USAThis essay examines the relation between scientific inquiry and philosophical thought in the context of a Thomistic account of human sexual difference. I begin by considering Thomas’s own view and its explicit though brief appeal to biological observation. In particular, I focus on his claim that being male or female stems more from a substance’s matter than from its form. Then, I look at a fairly recent exchange between William Newton and myself, in which, drawing upon Thomistic thought in the context of contemporary science, we argued opposing positions. Mine held that sex stems more from form than from matter, while Newton maintained that Thomas’s original position is better. In reviewing this exchange, I note strengths in Newton’s argument and suggest a further distinction, even while concluding that my fundamental position is still a better account. Lastly, I turn to further questions and the necessity of continued partnership between philosophy and science.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/9/1026Thomas Aquinasphilosophybiologysciencesexualitysexual difference |
| spellingShingle | John DeSilva Finley Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference Religions Thomas Aquinas philosophy biology science sexuality sexual difference |
| title | Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference |
| title_full | Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference |
| title_fullStr | Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference |
| title_full_unstemmed | Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference |
| title_short | Science and Philosophy in a Thomistic Anthropology of Sexual Difference |
| title_sort | science and philosophy in a thomistic anthropology of sexual difference |
| topic | Thomas Aquinas philosophy biology science sexuality sexual difference |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/9/1026 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT johndesilvafinley scienceandphilosophyinathomisticanthropologyofsexualdifference |