“… hope is called the entrance to faith…” – St. Thomas Aquinas (IIa IIae QQ.17) Today we share the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) from his masterpiece ‘Summa Theologica’, which was…
Category: Sociology
What Is Faith? The Foundation Of Society
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…” – ‘The Whole Armor of God’ – Ephesians 6:16 Merriam Webster defines…
Does Faith Lead To Reciprocity?
According to Robert Putnam in ‘Bowling Alone’, “Faith communities in which people worship together are arguably the single most important repository of social capital.” As reciprocity is a component of social capital,…
Does Faith Lead To Trust?
“A society or a community is rooted in mutual affection” and “There is no commonwealth where there is no common interest”, as said by Jean Bodin. We know that faith leads to each…
Does Faith Lead To Social Norms?
“Social capital differs from other forms of human capital insofar as it is usually created and transmitted through cultural mechanisms like religion, tradition, or historical habit.” – Francis Fukuyama. While virtues and values…
Does Faith Lead To Shared Values?
Values are synonymous with virtues, and we know from the above that faith builds social virtues amongst individuals within a group. But let’s further discuss the issues of faith and values. Dr….
Does Faith Lead To Solidarity?
Does faith lead to the social virtue of solidarity? Yes, because “obedience follows faith”, as said by Thomas Aquinas. Emile Durkheim, on the other hand, points to the value of faith for developing social…
Does Faith Lead To Liberty?
Does faith lead to the social virtue of liberty? Yes, “man, by assenting to matters of faith, is raised above his nature,” as said Thomas Aquinas. Man’s natural state is self-sovereignty – impulse, savagery,…
Does Faith Lead To Justice?
Does faith lead to the social virtue of justice? Yes, “faith is the sole foundation and prop of that justice on which all commonwealths, alliances, and associations of men whatsoever, is founded”,…
Does Faith Lead To Honesty?
Does faith lead to the social virtue of honesty? Yes, as honesty and social trust are “mutually reinforcing”, as according to Robert Putnam, faith does lead to honesty. To wit: Already determined is…