Question

Read the excerpt below. Then, explain why G. K. Chesterton claims that, "St. Thomas Aquinas, perhaps more than he is anything else, is a great anthropologist." Your answer should be at least 150 words.

{ The first thing to be said about St. Thomas as an anthropologist, is that he is really remarkably like the best sort of modern biological anthropologist. ... He adopts almost literally the Huxleyan definition of the Agnostic method; "To follow reason as far as it will go"; the only question is-where does it go? He lays down the almost startlingly modern or materialist statement; "Every thing that is in the intellect has been in the senses. ... The Schoolmen may have shot too far beyond our limits in pursuing the Cherubim and Seraphim. But in asking whether a man can choose or whether a man will die, they were asking ordinary questions in natural history; like whether a cat can scratch or whether a dog can smell. Nothing calling itself a complete Science of Man can shirk them. ("The Permanent Philosophy"; pp. 1-2)

Answer 1

Chesterton explains how Thomas Aquinas was way ahead of his time in understanding what it means to be human and had a developed a great sense for ontology. He would argue that there are many of his own contemporaries that think and develop their ideas just like Aquinas did. Aquinas had started if not has paved the pathway and the theories of what is now known as anthropology. Aquinas also developed another section though not at his time considered different than Christianity, a newer form or a different type of religion. Aquinas did so much in his life that even now after hundreds of years later is still being taught. Standing against both time and current religious groups is truly an impressive feat, even some of the most well-known names have been forgotten due to these circumstances, and here Aquinas stands against all of that. This is why G. K. Chesterton claims, "St. Thomas Aquinas, perhaps more than he is anything else, is a great anthropologist." Step-by-step explanation:

I used Greanleafable's starting paragraph, hope this helps. this is a little over a 150 words. :)

Answer 2

Chesterton explains how Thomas Aquinas was way ahead of his time in understanding what it means to be human and had a developed a great sense for ontology. He would argue that there are many of his own contemporaries that think and develop their ideas just like Aquinas did. You can use this as a starting point and develop your essay.