DOCSLIB.ORG

Thomas Aquinas and the Generation of the Embryo: Being Human Before the Rational Soul

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Thomas Aquinas and the Generation of the Embryo: Being Human Before the Rational Soul Thomas Aquinas and the Generation of the Embryo: Being Human before the Rational Soul Author: Melissa Rovig Vanden Bout Persistent link: http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:104090 This work is posted on eScholarship@BC, Boston College University Libraries. Boston College Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, 2013 Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Boston College The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Philosophy THOMAS AQUINAS AND THE GENERATION OF THE EMBRYO BEING HUMAN BEFORE THE RATIONAL SOUL a dissertation by MELISSA ROVIG VANDEN BOUT submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2013 © copyright by MELISSA ROVIG VANDEN BOUT 2013 Abstract: “Thomas Aquinas and the Generation of the Embryo: Being Human before the Rational Soul” By Melissa Rovig Vanden Bout Peter Kreeft, Adviser Thomas Aquinas is generally viewed as the chief proponent of the theory of delayed animation, the view that the human embryo does not at first have the rational soul proper to human beings. Thomas follows Aristotle’s embryology, in which an embryo is animated by a succession of souls. The first is a nutritive soul, having the powers of growth, nutrition, and generation. The second is a sensitive soul, having the additional powers of locomotion and sensing. The third and final soul is the human, or rational soul, which virtually includes the nutritive and sensitive souls. Because Thomas holds that there is only one substantial form of a composite, none of these forms overlap to provide continuity. It is therefore exceedingly difficult to speak of the embryo as one enduring subject through the succession of souls. Moreover, because of the way that the nutritive soul is associated with plants, and the sensitive soul is associated with animals, interpreters generally hold that for Thomas the embryo is first a plant, then an animal, and with the advent of the rational soul, finally a human being. Those who write about the ontological status of the embryo assume that delayed animation necessarily entails delayed hominization, that is, that the embryo only becomes human at a later stage of its development, when it receives the rational soul. Those who hold a delayed animation view of the embryo often invoke Thomas’ schedule of successive souls in the embryo as a model for viewing it as not yet human in early stages of development, linking hominization to the ability to perform intellectual operations. That Thomas specifies that a body must be sufficiently organized before the advent of the rational soul seems to them to solidify their view of the embryo as not sufficiently organized to be truly human. Additionally, even outside of an explicitly Thomist framework, Thomist metaphysical principles are often invoked in arguments that center on twinning and totipotency of blastomeres in the early embryo, and whether that early embryo is one individual if it is potentially many. Those who hold immediate animation views (i.e., the embryo receives the rational soul at once, with no mediate states) often adopt the strategy of importing modern data on the internal organization and self-directed development of the embryo, and argue that if only Thomas had known that the zygote was not unformed and undifferentiated, that it has within itself all it needs to become a mature adult human, he would have held that the embryo is immediately suited to receive the rational soul, and thus is human from conception. In this way they attempt to employ a change in scientific data to negate the need for a succession of forms in the embryo. The author identifies the being of the human embryo as a prior metaphysical problem within Thomas’ work, and advances a different interpretation of his views: that the embryo, even before the advent of the rational soul, is human. To establish this claim, she traces the problems which emerge in the current debate about when the embryo becomes human, and argues that contrary to expectation, it is not necessary to equate immediate rational animation with immediate hominization, demonstrating that all other approaches yield results entirely untenable for Thomas. A survey of texts reveals that Thomas did in fact view the embryo as human before the rational soul, though he does not methodically work out the implications of that view in a number of areas. Moreover, a distinction based on a passage in Aristotle’s Generation of Animals with regard to an additional meaning of generation may resolve the ambivalence in Thomas’ account of the embryo as passive under the formative power of the father’s semen. Finally, a third meaning of generation is offered to show that Thomas recognized and wished to resolve the difficulty of explaining the continuity and identify of the embryo in the succession of souls. What results is an immediate hominization view of the embryo that, because it accommodates Thomas’ succession of souls and does not depend upon importing modern biological data on the embryo, is consistent with Thomas’ account, and is thoroughly cognizant of the way Thomas viewed human nature and the final end of human being. for all my babies, from Joy and Luke to Jenna and Samantha TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: THE HUMAN EMBRYO AS A PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM...... 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 1 THOMAS AND THE DEBATE:THE SOUL OF THE EMBRYO............................................................................ 4 CONTEXT FOR THOMAS’TREATMENT OF THE EMBRYO............................................................................ 11 CHAPTER 2: SILLY SCIENCE AND FAULTY PHILOSOPHY ............................ 17 ROOTS OF MODERN DELAYED ANIMATION POSITION .............................................................................. 17 SILLY SCIENCE:THE EMBRYO AS HOMUNCULUS ..................................................................................... 18 THOMAS AQUINAS AS THE MODEL FOR DELAYED ANIMATION................................................................ 20 FAULTY PHILOSOPHY:MAN AS TWO SUBSTANCES V.MAN AS A HYLOMORPHIC UNITY ......................... 24 RECAPITULATION AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS OF THE MODERN DELAYED ANIMATION POSITION .... 27 ANTICIPATION OF LATER ARGUMENTS..................................................................................................... 33 ACRITIQUE OF DELAYED ANIMATION, ON FAMILIAR GROUNDS ............................................................. 38 AFURTHER PROBLEM:MISTAKING ‘LOOK’ FOR BEING............................................................................ 41 CHAPTER 3: INDIVIDUALITY OF THE EMBRYO AND OTHER TECHNICAL DISPUTES....................................................................................................................... 48 OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................ 48 TWINNING ................................................................................................................................................ 50 TOTIPOTENCY........................................................................................................................................... 52 WHEN DID IBEGIN?................................................................................................................................. 58 OTHER VOICES IN THE DEBATE ................................................................................................................ 61 TOTIPOTENCY REVISITED ......................................................................................................................... 63 TWINNING,AGAIN.................................................................................................................................... 70 WEIGHING THE OPTIONS .......................................................................................................................... 75 CHAPTER 4: IMMEDIATE ANIMATION, EFFICIENT CAUSALITY, AND POTENTIALITY............................................................................................................ 77 ORGANIZATION IN THE EMBRYO .............................................................................................................. 80 THEN AND NOW, THE SCIENCE OF EFFICIENT CAUSE ............................................................................... 88 POTENTIALITY.......................................................................................................................................... 93 SPERM AS A POTENTIAL PERSON .............................................................................................................. 97 POTENCY V.POSSIBILITY V.PROBABILITY ............................................................................................. 100 MEDIATE CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................ 102 CHAPTER 5: “X” MARKS THE SPOT.................................................................... 106 CHAPTER 6: “SUMMA” KIND OF ARGUMENT, WITH A DIFFERENT QUESTION ................................................................................................................... 119 FIRST ARTICLE ......................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Development and Improvement of Instructions
    ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICIES: THE CASE OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH A Dissertation by TOMEKA MICHELLE ROBINSON Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2009 Major Subject: Health Education ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICIES: THE CASE OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH A Dissertation by TOMEKA MICHELLE ROBINSON Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Chair of Committee, Patricia Goodson Committee Members, E. Lisako J. McKyer Buzz Pruitt Domonic Bearfield Head of Department, Richard Kreider December 2009 Major Subject: Health Education iii ABSTRACT Assessing the Impact of Religious Beliefs on Public Perceptions and U.S. Government Policies: The Case of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. (December 2009) Tomeka Michelle Robinson, B.S., McNeese State University; M.A., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Patricia Goodson This dissertation presents three separate studies designed to provide structure and evidence-based insight into the impact of religious beliefs on public perceptions and U.S. government policies regarding embryonic stem cell research. First, a systematic literature review of nine (n=9) empirical studies that examined individuals‘ religious beliefs and perceptions/utilization of genetic technologies/services will be presented. Based on the finding from the review, there was an equal balance between studies that found that religion was a factor positively affecting intention to submit to genetic testing and those that illustrated a negative association.
    [Show full text]
  • Jones, David Albert, the Soul of the Embryo
    J The Soul of the Embryo: An enquiry into the status of the human embryo in the Christian tradition DAVID ALBERT JONES • , continuum A LONDON • NEW YORK Continuum The Tower Building 15 East 26th Street 11 York Road New York London, SE1 7NX NY 10010 www.continuumbooks.com C) David Jones 2004 Contents All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Abbreviations A catalogue record for this book is available from The British Library. Foreword ISBN 0 8264 6296 0 Introduction 1 Moulded in the Earth The embryo in the Hebrew Scriptures: creation, Typeset by BookEns Ltd, Royston, Herts. providence, calling Printed and hound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe Ltd, Chippenham, Wilts. 2 Curdled Like Cheese Ancient embryology: Hippocrates and Aristotle 3 Discarded Children • Exposure, infanticide and abortion in ancient Greece and Rome 4 Grieving in Ramah Jewish attitudes to infanticide and abortion 5 Medicinal Penalties Early Christianity and abortion: Celtic/Anglo-Saxon penances, Greek/Latin canons 6 Soul Talk Soul as the principle of life, body and soul, the I would like to thank Fr Michael Hayes, Head of the School of Theology, spiritual soul Philosophy and History at St Mary's College for supporting an ethos of research 7 Whence the Soul? and scholarship within the School; Robin Baird-Smith of Continuum books for The Church Fathers on the origin of the soul: his great patience; and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics for the use of pre-existence, traducianism, creationism their excellent library.
    [Show full text]
  • When Does Human Life Begin? Christian Thinking and Contemporary Opposition
    Salt&Light series When does human life begin? Christian thinking and contemporary opposition JOHN R LING Salt&Light series When does human life begin? Christian thinking and contemporary opposition JOHN R LING The substance of this booklet is an extract from The Morning-After Pill – Uncovering the Truth, published by The Christian Institute in 2007: http://www.christian.org.uk/resource/the-morning-after-pill Copyright © The Christian Institute 2017 The author has asserted his right under Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. First printed in June 2011 Reprinted in May 2015 and August 2017 ISBN 978-1-901086-47-8 Published by The Christian Institute Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8DG All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of The Christian Institute. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The Christian Institute is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England as a charity. Company No. 263 4440, Charity No. 100 4774. A charity registered in Scotland. Charity No. SC039220 Contents 5 1 . Introduction 7 2 . The answer from the Bible 17 3 . The view of the early church 21 4 . The drift from the biblical worldview 25 5 .
    [Show full text]
  • Six Ways Theology Uses Philosophy
    Six Ways Theology The Context Since I teach philosophy to seminarians,the UsesPhilosophy questionwhich is often raisedis "how is philosophy used by theology?" My answers,at first, did not David Foster. Ph.D. move pastthe generalitiesthat philosophy is the in- strumentof theologyor that philosophytaught you to Yote: This paper wasfirst presentedin Venice,April, 1996 at think logically. Realizing the inadequacyof those 'he International Conferenceon Preparation for Priesthood answers,I began to study the relationship. with the support of the Wethersfield Institute. As a result,this paperaims to describein betterr detail how theology usesphilosophy. Its main con- tributionsare 1) a descriptionof the instrumentaluses of philosophy,2) the identification of the intrinsic role of philosophy as material to theology. Becauseof the focus on the theologicaluses of philosophy,I will leave aside other contributionsof philosophyto theology students,such as, helping them to understandthe modern world, disciplining their thinking, stimulatingcreative thought, and providing order for a complex world. These contributions of philosophyare important, but are not unique to the- ology. The Traditional Ways Theology UsesPhilosophy Four main uses quickly emergedas a working hypothesis:philosophy serves theology as a preamble, a tool, a bridge, and a shield.2 Theseare the more traditional ways of describing how theology uses philosophy.The list eventually grew to six. Philosophyis a preamblein thatit preparespeople for understandingthe Faith. It is a tool in that it is usedas an instrumentto better understandthe Faith. It is a bridge in that it provides common principles where believer and nonbeliever can meet. It is a shieldin thatit can be usedto defendthe Faith against argumentsof nonbelievers3.The seconduse, as a tool, is the most commonand the most importantto articulatefor theologystudents.
    [Show full text]
  • Thomas Aquinas College Newsletter Fall 2018
    quinas A C s o a l Thomas Aquinas College Newsletter m l e o g h e T Fall 2018 Volume 46, Issue 3 1971 Eastward Bound! College Receives Approval for New England Campus ulminating a rigorous process that campus and, thanks be to God, that day Cbegan in the spring of 2017, Thomas has arrived.” Aquinas College has received approval Notably, the College’s need for expan- from the Massachusetts Board of Higher sion counters a 50-year trend in higher Education to operate a branch campus education, in which more than a quarter in Western Massachusetts, where it will of the country’s small liberal arts schools award the degree of Bachelor of Arts in have either closed, merged, or abandoned Liberal Arts. The decision sets the stage their missions. “At a time when more for Thomas Aquinas College, New Eng- than a few liberal arts colleges have had land, to open its doors in fall 2019. to close,” says R. Scott Turicchi, chairman The Board’s approval comes as the of the College’s Board of Governors, “it is result of a thorough and rigorous appli- a testament to the excellence of Thomas cation process conducted by its legal Aquinas College’s unique program of and academic affairs staff at the Massa- Catholic liberal education and to its good chusetts Department of Higher Educa- stewardship that the school has received tion. Its grant of authority is subject to school in Northfield, Massachusetts, course, friends’ donations to cover the approval to operate a second campus.” stipulations, the most important of which which has been shuttered since 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • Peter Kreeft BOSTON COLLEGE Faith and Reason: the Philosophy of Religion Professor Peter Kreeft Boston College
    FAITH AND REASON: THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION COURSE GUIDE Professor Peter Kreeft BOSTON COLLEGE Faith and Reason: The Philosophy of Religion Professor Peter Kreeft Boston College Recorded Books™ is a trademark of Recorded Books, LLC. All rights reserved. Faith and Reason: The Philosophy of Religion Professor Peter Kreeft Executive Producer John J. Alexander Executive Editor Donna F. Carnahan RECORDING Producer - David Markowitz Director - Matthew Cavnar COURSE GUIDE Editor - James Gallagher Design - Edward White Lecture content ©2005 by Peter Kreeft Course guide ©2005 by Recorded Books, LLC 72005 by Recorded Books, LLC Cover image: Ceiling of the Sistene Chapel, The Vatican, Rome © Clipart.com #UT064 ISBN: 978-1-4193-4767-2 All beliefs and opinions expressed in this audio/video program and accompanying course guide are those of the author and not of Recorded Books, LLC, or its employees. Course Syllabus Faith and Reason: The Philosophy of Religion About Your Professor...................................................................................................4 Introduction...................................................................................................................5 Lecture 1 What Is Religion? Why Is It Worth Thinking About? .............................6 Lecture 2 Atheism................................................................................................12 Lecture 3 The Problem of Evil .............................................................................17 Lecture 4 Arguments for God’s Existence
    [Show full text]
  • A Thomistic Understanding of Happiness
    The University of Notre Dame Australia ResearchOnline@ND Theses 2013 A Thomistic Understanding of Happiness Christian Stephens University of Notre Dame Australia Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses Part of the Religion Commons COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969 WARNING The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice. Publication Details Stephens, C. (2013). A Thomistic Understanding of Happiness (Master of Philosophy (MPhil)). University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/79 This dissertation/thesis is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Thomistic Understanding of Happiness Master of Philosophy Thesis Christian Stephens th 8 August 2013 Feast of St Mary of the Cross I am deeply grateful to the Fathers at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, especially Fr Bernard Gordon, for helping me to discover the genius of St. Thomas. I would also like to thank the Staff at the School of Philosophy and Theology, Notre Dame, Sydney, for their constant support. Most especially, Dr Angus Brook, whose wisdom, patience and encouragement forged my love of St Thomas and made this work possible. To Chloe, whose faith, hope and love sustained the man behind this work so that it could come to completion. Finally, to St.
    [Show full text]
  • Faith and Reason 1 Completed = Test Question on Diocesan Religion Test
    Date Comments and edits Faith and Reason 1 Completed ∆ = Test question on Diocesan Religion Test Faith and Reason as found in the Nicene Creed I. “I believe…” A. Students will articulate the relationship between faith and reason. 1. Faith (CCC 878) a. Heb 11:1 “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” ∆ b. Belief is only possible through continuous grace and the Holy Spirit, CCC153 ∆ c. We will be saved by God’s grace if we cooperate with it d. Truly a human act, CCC 154 ∆ e. In faith the human intellect and will cooperate with divine grace, CCC 155 (relationship between faith and freedom is any act of Faith must be made freely) f. There are external proofs of God’s revelation that join the internal helps of the Holy Spirit, CCC 156 g. We profess this revelation in the creed, celebrate it in the sacraments, live by right conduct, and respond to it in prayer. h. Distinction between Fides Quae and Fides Qua : The faith that we believe with (theological virtue) and the faith that we believe in (objective content) 2. Reason and its relationship with faith (see teachings of John Paul II and St. Thomas Aquinas) ∆ 3. Faith is reasonable B. The learner will be able to dialogue regarding challenges about the Catholic Faith through use of the Magisterium, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and reason. 1. Introduction ∆ a. 1 Pet 3:15-16 “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your ∆ hope but do it with gentleness and reverence.” ∆ b.
    [Show full text]
  • Origins of Genetic Determinism in Medieval Creationism By
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Origins of Genetic Determinism in Medieval Creationism By: Douglas Wahlsten Wahlsten, D. (1998). Origins of genetic determinism in medieval creationism. Race, Gender & Class, 5: 90-107 Made available courtesy of The University of New Orleans, Sociology Department: http://soci.uno.edu/ ***Reprinted with permission. No further reproduction is authorized without written permission from The University of New Orleans, Sociology Department. This version of the document is not the version of record. Figures and/or pictures may be missing from this format of the document.*** Abstract: The discovery of statistical laws of heredity by Gregor Mendel was an important advance in biological science. However, Mendel's opinion that the entire character was transmitted was not derived from his data and instead reflected prior beliefs outside the domain of science. It is argued here that Mendel, a monk and later abbot of an Augustine monastery, was influenced by St. Augustine's theory of divine creation of the rationes seminales which specified the form for all future beings in great detail. Furthermore, the continued adherence to genetic determinism among contemporary scientists is largely, despite strong evidence supporting a developmental systems or dialectical view of heredity and development. Keywords: St. Augustine, Mendel, Bateson, heredity, epigenesis, dialectics, reductionism Article: On the occasion of the centenary of Mendel's famous paper on hybrid crosses of garden peas, Oliver (1967) distinguished between the forefathers and modern practitioners of genetics: "Early Mendelists supposed that there was regularly a one-to-one relationship between genetic factors and their associated characters.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall 2012-2013 Electives
    FALL 2012-2013 ELECTIVES COURSE # CR LV COURSE TITLE SCHEDULE INSTRUCTOR PL11601 3 1 MEDIEVAL RELIGION&THOUGHT T TH 9* BROWN CULTURAL DIVERSITY *ALTID 3 U TH11601: MEDIEVAL RELIGION&THOUGHT T TH 9* BROWN CULTURAL DIVERSITY PL16001 3 1 CHALLENGE OF JUSTICE T TH 3* POPE *ALTID 3 U TH16001: CHALLENGE OF JUSTICE T TH 3* POPE PL16002 3 1 CHALLENGE OF JUSTICE M W 3* SWEENEY *ALTID 3 U TH16002: CHALLENGE OF JUSTICE M W 3* SWEENEY PL23301 3 1 VALUES/SOC SERV/HLTH CARE TH 4 30-6 50 MANZO PL25901 3 1 PERSP:WAR/AGGRESSION T TH 12* MULLANE *ALTID 3 U TH32701: PERSPECT:WAR/AGGRES I T TH 12* MULLANE *ALTID 3 U SC25001: PERSP:WAR/AGGRESSION T TH 12* MULLANE PL26101 3 1 TELLING TRUTHS I W 3-4 50 HIRSCH PL26401 3 1 LOGIC M W F 2 SARCA PL26402 3 1 LOGIC M W F 3 SARCA PL26403 3 1 LOGIC M W F 12 ANDERSON PL29101 3 1 PHILOS OF COMMUNITY I T 4 30-6 20 MC MENAMIN PL31401 3 1 MIND AND BODY M W F 11 TACELLI PL37701 3 1 ETHICAL THEORY T TH 12* GARCIA PL40301 3 1 DOES GOD EXIST? M W 3* TACELLI PL40501 3 1 GREEK PHILOSOPHY M W F 11 BYERS PL40601 3 1 MODERN PHILOSOPHY T TH 10 30* SOLERE PL44201 3 1 ROMANTICISM & IDEALISM T TH 1 30* RUMBLE PL47001 3 1 PHIL OF WORLD RELIGIONS T TH 3* KREEFT CULTURAL DIVERSITY PL49301 3 1 BIOETHICS:ISS/HEALTHCARE M W F 2 STAN PL50001 3 3 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW T TH 1 30* TREJO-MATHYS *ALTID 3 G LL66901: PHILOSOPHY OF LAW T TH 1 30* TREJO-MATHYS PL51201 3 3 PHILOSOPHY OF EXISTENCE T TH 3* KEARNEY PL51701 3 3 KANT&KANTIANS MORAL LAW T TH 3* LOTT PL53101 3 3 DISC&METAPHYSICS ETHICS T TH 4 30* GARCIA PL55001 3 1 CAPSTONE:BUILDING A LIFE M 3-5
    [Show full text]
  • Tertullian and the Unborn Child
    Tertullian and the Unborn Child Tertullian of Carthage was the earliest Christian writer to argue against abortion at length, and the first surviving Latin author to consider the unborn child in detail. This book is the first comprehensive analysis of Tertullian’s attitude towards the foetus and embryo. Examining Tertullian’s works in light of Roman literary and social history, Julian Barr proposes that Tertullian’s comments on the unborn should be read as rhetoric ancillary to his primary arguments. Tertullian’s engagement in the art of rhetoric also explains his tendency towards self-contradiction. He argued that human existence began at conception in some treatises and not in others. Tertullian’s references to the unborn hence should not be plucked out of context, lest they be misread. Tertullian borrowed, modified, and discarded theories of ensoulment according to their usefulness for individual treatises. So long as a single work was intern- ally consistent, Tertullian was satisfied. He elaborated upon previous Christian traditions and selectively borrowed from ancient embryological theory to prove specific theological and moral points. Tertullian was more influenced by Roman custom than he would perhaps have admitted, since the contrast between pagan and Christian attitudes on abortion was more rhetorical than real. Julian Barr is a research fellow at the University of Queensland, where he completed his PhD in classics. He tutors ancient history and classical lan- guages. His research interests include early Christianity, ancient medicine, and the Roman family. Medicine and the Body in Antiquity Series editor: Patricia Baker, University of Kent, UK Advisory board: Lesley A.
    [Show full text]
  • 4. Angelic Order and Human Growth
    Volume XXI - (2020) Angelic Order and Human Growth PANDASITES 2 • Burton, Kathleen Journal of Unification Studies Vol. 21, 2020 - Pages 77-88 Why does Divine Principle place little emphasis on the topic of angels, yet the course of restoration history was based on the failure of a human-angelic relationship? The Principle of Creation gives no guidelines for ideal interactions between the two worlds. True Mother (Mrs. Hak Ja Han) expects Heavenly Parent's Holy Community[1] to be the harbinger of world peace and God's ideal, yet the contingency of that reality must manifest not only in our human world but in the angelic one; for that is God's Original Design. We are not meant to have all the answers, yet Heavenly Parent does not usually use divine revelation in these matters. True Father had to work hard to understand the Fall. The same is expected of us. In this post- Foundation Day[2] reality when Unificationists believe that the ideal world beyond the Fall should be unfolding, we must work hard to ask the questions that lead to the "what should have been" in the first human- angelic relationship. Yet the Unification Church lacks expertise on angels. Those members that do are largely in the West. Nora Spurgin's Circles of Angels[3] may be the best work on angels that the church has produced, yet it remains untranslated and hence unavailable to our Asian membership. The West has the great advantage of the Judeo- Christian foundation; there are over 300 references to angels in the Bible.
    [Show full text]