The Influence of Thomas Aquinas’ Concept of Createdness on Josef Pieper’s Moral Philosophy

Josef Pieper’s practical moral philosophy can be best understood by reference to the theology of Thomas Aquinas, and specifically Aquinas’ concept of the created human person. Pieper uses Aquinas’ theological anthropology to argue for three actions which respond to the reality of being created: giving assent to having been brought into existence by God, perceiving God and created reality, and pursuing of the end of human life through the practice of the virtues in order to receive beatitude. Pieper’s well-known works on the seven virtues, on leisure, and on festivity rely on the same concepts from Aquinas which Pieper examines in depth in his works of speculative philosophy. By providing context for each of the selected works, this thesis demonstrates the unity of Pieper’s speculative and practical moral philosophy as well as his conception of the ideal human life in a society which allows both contemplation and divine worship.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

One-year Embargo

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Theology

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Slater, Sarah

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel P. Scheid
• Elizabeth Agnew Cochran

• leisure
• festivity
• christianity
• society
• moral philosophy
• aquinas
• creation
• virtues
• philosophy of mind
• apophatic theology
• Catholic Studies
• Ethics and Political Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1917

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dsc.duq.edu:etd-2931