IAAJAH - IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities
Vol. 10 No. 5, 2024
FREEDOM AND LAW IN ST. THOMAS AQUINAS' PHILOSOPHY
Donatus Uzoma Okwara, PhD &Jude Onyeakazi, PhD

ABSTRACT

This research delves into the intricate relationship between freedom and law as expounded in the philosophical framework of St. Thomas Aquinas. Grounded in Aquinas' synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology, the study elucidates his conception of freedom as aligned with rationality and the pursuit of the good. Aquinas' multi-layered understanding of law, encompassing the eternal, divine, natural, and human dimensions, forms the backdrop for analyzing the harmonious interplay between freedom and law. Contrary to viewing law as a constraint on freedom, Aquinas argues for their mutual enrichment, positing that adherence to just laws fosters individual flourishing and societal well-being. Drawing on key works such as the Summa Theologica and Summa Contra Gentiles, supplemented by scholarly interpretations by Gilson, Pieper, and Davies, this research contributes to a deeper comprehension of Aquinas' ethical and political thought, offering insights into the nature of moral agency and the pursuit of the common good.

Keywords: Law, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
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