Aquinas's Anthropology

Overview

In lecture seven, we consider Thomas Aquinas's philosophical and theological anthropology—understanding humanity in light of God—particularly focusing on the complex relationship between body and soul. We trace the historical debate from Plato's dualistic view of the soul imprisoned in the body through Aristotle's more unified approach, showing how Aquinas synthesizes both traditions while remaining grounded in biblical teaching that affirms the goodness of both body and soul. The lecture concludes by discussing the imago Dei—the image of God within us—creating an unlimited yearning for truth and being itself. Bishop Barron shows how this divine image drives our restless quest for God, explaining why humans are fundamentally ordered toward the divine.