Reading:

1. Introduction

2. Avicenna, Metaphysics, I.1–4, pp. 1-21 (link)

AND "Avicenna on the Division of the Sciences" (link)

(conception of philosophy and science)

3. Aquinas, On De Trinitate (link)

Sentence Commentary (link)

(theology as a science)

handout

4. Avicenna, Classical Arabic Philosophy pp. 156–63, 209–211 (link)

Avicenna, Metaphysics, Bk. II, pp. 45-70 (link)

Optional supplemental reading: Avicenna, Metaphysics, Bk. VI

(the principles of nature)

5. Avicenna, Classical Arabic Philosophy, pp. 175-209 (link)

6. Aquinas, On the Principles of Nature (link)

(the Principles of Nature)

7. Aquinas, ST I qq.79, 84

(the mechanisms of cognition)

[Paper topics approved no later than February 28]

8. Avicenna, Classical Arabic Philosophy, pp. 211–16 (link)

Metaphysics, I.5–8, pp. 22-44; IV.2, pp. 157-161; and IX.1, pp. 299-306 (link)

(ontology)

9. NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK SLU

10. Aquinas, On essence and existence (link)

(theory of being)

11. NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK UMSL

12. Avicenna, Metaphysics, I.7, pp. 34-37 (link)

AND Bk. VIII, pp. 257-298

(the divine attributes and the nature of simplicity)

[First draft due: April 1]

13. Aquinas, DQP, On God’s simplicity (Part 1) (Part 2)

(divine simplicity)

14. Avicenna, Metaphysics, IX.3–X.1, pp. 318-363 (link)

(providence and the afterlife)

[Written student comments on first draft due: April 15]

15. Aquinas, ST I qq.21-22

(providence)

16. Summary and retrospective

[Final draft due: MONDAY, May 11]