An Anthology Of Critical Thomist Jurisprudence, Vol. 2

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Critical Thomism and Liberation A Tract Book By Anthony J. Fejfar © Copyright 2006 by Anthony J. Fejfar

Classical Philosophy in general, and Thomism, in particular, is typically thought to be conservative, even reactionary. This is because Classical Philosophy is thought to privelege a world view where society is static, and those in control, or in power, because of the static nature of reality, stay in control, or in power, presumably to the detriment of everyone else. The idea expressed above, that Classical philosophy is conservative or even reactionary, in a negative way, is, however, false. First of all, classical philosophy is based upon the idea that reality is structured by material forms, substantial forms, or even immutable platonic forms. However, even if the foregoing is true, it can certainly be argued that concepts such as freedom, liberty, liberation, autonomy, self-determination, individual rights, etc., are respectively, themeselves,

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material forms, substantial forms, or even immutable platonic forms. Moreover, it can be argued that material forms, substantial forms, or even immutable platonic forms, are really “quantum forms” which exist and operate in the “Quantum Field,” and thus, can be “Added to but not subtracted from, rearranged but not changed.” Now, it can be argued that the forms are infinite in number, and that the God who is Incomprehensible to us, in all His Perfection, in His Mind, has every possible immutable platonic form, ex nihilio, from the beginning, outside of spacetime. Thus, when ever a new concept, or relationship, or idea, or even movement comes into our society, it is argued that such new concepts, relationships, or even movements, have always-already existed outside of space-time in the Mind of God, or the World of the Forms. Platonism, then results in a sort of conservatism, but it is one which is, or at least can be, totally “progressive.” Alternatively, perhaps as to some forms, say material forms, such forms are really “Quantum Forms” which can be “added to but not subtracted from, rearranged but not changed.” In such a case it is obvious that there is room for new forms, new concepts, new relationships, new movements.

Critical Thomism, suggests, however, that

Liberation in society will never happen unless Liberation of the individual mind also takes place.

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THE END

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