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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is meant by an article?

2. Angels are rather __________.

3. What is epistemology?

4. Reading the Summa is much like trying to read what?

5. Does truth only exist in the intellect?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Aquinas turns to the debate format, what does he assume? What are the consequences of this?

2. Who is Dionysius?

3. Who is Aristotle? How is he important to this book?

4. What is a Thomist?

5. What does Aquinas say about God's action and essence?

6. Describe the writing of the Summa Theologica.

7. What is said in response to the question of whether truth resides only in the intellect?

8. What might someone who is not specially educated in the areas of philosophy and theology think of this book?

9. What does Aquinas say about potentiality and actuality?

10. What is said about angels?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aquinas says that all things are directed to one end, which is God.

Part 1) How does he support this belief? Is this valid support? Why or why not?

Part 2) How do his previously-discussed beliefs lead up to support this belief?

Part 3) How does this idea influence Aquinas' beliefs about humanity, the soul, and truth?

Essay Topic 2

Whether truth resides in only the intellect is one of the most important philosophical questions known to humanity.

Part 1) Why is this question so important? How is this question revealed and discussed in this book?

Part 2) What is Aquinas' response to this question? How does this book reflect this response?

Part 3) Why does Aquinas feel the way he does about this question? What do you believe about this question?

Essay Topic 3

The question is raised in this book whether God is omnipotent.

Part 1) What is meant by omnipotence? How is God omnipotent, according to Aquinas? Would other philosophers agree with him? Why or why not?

Part 2) Why is the answering of this question threatening? How threatening is it? Why?

Part 3) Do you believe God is omnipotent? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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