You are invited to a special afternoon event featuring a presentation by Dr. Matthew Kostelecky on Wednesday, March 4 from 4:00 - 5:00pm. The presentation will be held in the Boardroom at St. Joseph's College.
Dr. Kostelecky's presentation is titled:
Boethius, Avicenna, and Thomas Aquinas on the Nature and Goals of Metaphysics
Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on Boethius' De trinitate lays out Thomas's general approach to metaphysics more clearly and directly than perhaps anywhere else in his oeuvre. In this paper, I will argue that the approach to metaphysics in the text is under tension between an older, more 'platonic' way of doing metaphysics, as represented by Boethius himself, and a newer, more 'ontological' conception of metaphysics, as inaugurated by Avicenna. In the end, I think it is clear that Thomas is advocating for an Avicennian approach to metaphysics and eschewing the approach presented by Boethius (and thereby much of the preceding Christian tradition), even if he will never disagree outrightly with Boethius. I will conclude with some thoughts about what Thomas gains, in terms of his approaches to both metaphysics and revealed theology, by following the great Islamic thinker on this point over that of the Christian authority of Boethius. I will also offer some brief comments on what I take to be the tremendous impact of Avicenna on the metaphysical tradition, especially in Thomas's thought and that of Thomas's later contemporaries.
Light refreshments will be served.
An RSVP is requested but not required to: sara.mckeon@ualberta.ca
We look forward to seeing you at this event!
Dr. Kostelecky's presentation is titled:
Boethius, Avicenna, and Thomas Aquinas on the Nature and Goals of Metaphysics
Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on Boethius' De trinitate lays out Thomas's general approach to metaphysics more clearly and directly than perhaps anywhere else in his oeuvre. In this paper, I will argue that the approach to metaphysics in the text is under tension between an older, more 'platonic' way of doing metaphysics, as represented by Boethius himself, and a newer, more 'ontological' conception of metaphysics, as inaugurated by Avicenna. In the end, I think it is clear that Thomas is advocating for an Avicennian approach to metaphysics and eschewing the approach presented by Boethius (and thereby much of the preceding Christian tradition), even if he will never disagree outrightly with Boethius. I will conclude with some thoughts about what Thomas gains, in terms of his approaches to both metaphysics and revealed theology, by following the great Islamic thinker on this point over that of the Christian authority of Boethius. I will also offer some brief comments on what I take to be the tremendous impact of Avicenna on the metaphysical tradition, especially in Thomas's thought and that of Thomas's later contemporaries.
Light refreshments will be served.
An RSVP is requested but not required to: sara.mckeon@ualberta.ca
We look forward to seeing you at this event!