Christian Anthropology: The Human Person in Catholic Thought - Friendship, Community, and the Social Nature of the Person

Session 8: Friendship, Community, and the Social Nature of the Person

Aristotle's account of friendship (philia) and Aquinas's Christianisation of it provide resources for thinking about the bonds beyond family; friendship, civic life, and the Church as fellowship. Charity (caritas) is, for Aquinas, a kind of friendship with God. This session asks what genuine community requires, and what distinguishes authentic bonds from their pale imitations.

Reading: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics VIII.1–6; Aquinas, Summa Theologiae IIa-IIae Q.23; Paul VI, Populorum Progressio §§17–21

Instructor: Dr. Aloysius Ventham

Philosopher and meta-ethicist. Program Director of the Villa Steiner Academy. Works on moral reasoning, judgment, and responsibility; teaches philosophy and ethics in Salzburg and Vienna.