Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was the leading christian philosopher of the middle ages.He led an austere life as a celibate monk,writing prolifically and teaching widely.
Thomas Aquinas compiled the entire church doctrine which constitutes the official philosophy of the Roman Catholic Church.
Since human reason is not perfect,revelation is also needed.The truth is attained through logic,philosophy and revelation.If we accept the bonafide spiritual master and please him by submissive service,by virtue of his mercy and pleasure we can understand God and the spiritual world by revelation.When we engage our senses in the Lord's service,the Lord reveals Himself.
For Aquinas,God is the only single essence that consists of pure form.He felt that matter is only a potential and,in order to be real,must assume a certain shape or form.In other words,the living entity has to acquire an individual form in order to actualize himself.When matter unites with form,the form gives individuality and personality.
Aquinas believed that only God and the angels have nonmaterial form.There is no difference between God's form and God's spiritual self.
Aquinas set forth five basic arguments for God's existence: first,God necessary exists as the first cause; second,the material world cannot create itself but needs something external,or spiritual to create it; third,because the world exists,there must be a creator; fourth,since there is relative perfection in the world,there must be absolute perfection underlying it;and fifth,since the creation has design and purpose,there must be a designer who planned it.
In the material world,we engage in many different activities,but they all refer to the material body.In the spiritual world,the spirit engages in the Lord's service,and this is salvation.
Aquinas considered sins to be both venial and mortal.A venial sin is one that can be pardoned,but a mortal sin stains the soul.As materialistic education advances,we are missing the aim of life.Life is meant for understanding the Absolute Truth.Vedic civilization is based on this principle,but modern civilization has deviated and is devoting itself to that which cannot possibly relieve us from the tribulations of birth,old age,disease and death.So-called scientific advancement has not solved life's real problems.Although we are eternal,we are presently subjected to birth and death.People create their own way of life,and they are unfortunate and disturbed.
Aquinas concludes that if the laws of God and man conflict,we should obey the laws of God.
