Prepare for the Life to Come
Wed, Dec 04
Many philosophers have thought that the meaning of our lives is inextricably connected to the possibility for a good (or bad) afterlife. St. Thomas Aquinas read Aristotle as arguing that the happiest life would be one of permanently contemplating God. In class today, we will talk about different visions of the afterlife and it's implications for our more Earthly activities.
By the end of class:
- You will have a basic understanding of Aquinas's vision of the afterlife and how it relates to Aristotle's life of contemplation.
- You will critically reflect on what is worth hoping for or desiring after death.
- (Rusty on how to read Aquinas? Click to let Fr. John Jenkins explain the text to you!)
In your GGL Journal, answer the following questions:
- What do you hope for yourself, after your death? How would Aquinas classify these hopes as "active" or "comtemplative"?
- Suppose the afterlife will consist chiefly in your contemplating God. Explain why would/wouldn't look forward to this.