CLEP Western Civ I

Answer: A - The Summa Theologica is the preeminent work of Medieval Scholasticism, a school of philosophical and theological thought that advocates reasoned dialogue to consider issues of a moral, religious or academic nature. In many ways, it is more an approach to learning or education than it is a philosophy. One of the primary themes of Aquinas’ work, and that of other Medieval Scholastics, was to reconcile the teachings of the Catholic Church with the teachings of the great Greek philosophers. Aquinas, in particular, paid a great deal of attention to natural law (the laws of human nature). In the Summa Theologica, he focused on the meaning of life, which he considered to be a life not only of contemplation but of helping others contemplate, too. He placed value on fundamental human desires like procreation, justice on Earth, education, the pursuit of science, and man’s happiness and place in the universe as a meaningful one despite the inherent imperfections of mankind. He ultimately became the most significant philosopher in all of Catholicism; much of the Church’s doctrine on education and natural law was established by Aquinas’ writings.