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Can Aquinas' philosophy be applied to modern-day politics?

Dorthey Leonida

Hey there!

That's a great question, and one that has been debated by philosophers and political scientists for years. The short answer is "yes," Aquinas' philosophy can definitely be applied to modern-day politics.

Let me explain why.

First, it's important to understand that Aquinas' political philosophy is rooted in his broader understanding of the nature of reality and the role of God in the world. For Aquinas, God created the world and everything in it, including human beings. As such, all of our actions and decisions should be oriented towards fulfilling our ultimate purpose, which is to be in communion with God.

When it comes to politics, Aquinas believed that the ultimate goal of government was to create a just society, one that promotes the common good and allows individuals to live virtuous lives. He saw this as a reflection of God's divine plan for the world, and argued that political leaders should be guided by natural law and principles of morality in their decision-making.

So how does this apply to modern-day politics?

Well, we can use Aquinas' ideas to evaluate the policies and actions of our political leaders. Are they promoting the common good, or are they prioritizing their own interests or the interests of a powerful few? Are they making decisions that are grounded in principles of morality and justice, or are they simply trying to win political points?

These are difficult questions to answer, of course, and there is plenty of room for disagreement. But the important thing is that by using Aquinas' ideas as a starting point, we can have a framework for evaluating political issues in a way that is grounded in a broader understanding of reality and morality.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to applying Aquinas' philosophy to modern-day politics. There are many other questions we could explore, such as the role of religion in politics, the relationship between the individual and the state, and the limits of government power.

Ultimately, though, I think Aquinas' philosophy provides a valuable framework for thinking about political issues in a way that is grounded in deeper principles of morality and justice. So yes, I believe it can definitely be applied to modern-day politics!