Aquinas’ Theory of Happiness and its Greek,Byzantine, Latin and Arabic Sources |
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| Authors: | Antonio Donato |
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| Abstract: | Scholars have traditionally considered Aquinas’ theory of happiness as fundamentally Aristotelian. However, this interpretation does not seem an adequate characterization of Aquinas’ doctrine that appears as the result of the influence of several traditions. In interpreting Aristotle, Aquinas is influenced by two Byzantine Neoplatonic commentators of Aristotle – namely, Eustratius and Michael of Ephesus. In developing his theory, Aquinas tries to harmonize the Aristotelian perspective with Latin Neoplatonic notion of perfect happiness, put forward by Augustine, and both the Greek theory of the human intellect proposed by Pseudo-Dionysius and the Arabic doctrine of the human soul, expressed by the Liber De Causis. The Sententia libri Ethicorum provides the best opportunity to trace how Aquinas’ doctrine arises out of a dialogue between these different traditions. |
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| Keywords: | Aristotle philosopher Thomas Aquinas theologian Eustratius philosopher Michael of Ephesus philosopher Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite Happiness |
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