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True or False. St. Thomas Aquinas argued that the goal toward which all human beings strive is happiness and that, "final and perfect happiness can consist in nothing else than the vision of the Divine Essence.".

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Final answer:

True, St. Thomas Aquinas did argue that true happiness culminates in the vision of the Divine Essence, aligning with the Aristotelian concept of moving from potentiality to actuality and achieving perfection.

Step-by-step explanation:

True. St. Thomas Aquinas argued that the ultimate goal for humans is happiness, and he believed that "final and perfect happiness can consist in nothing else than the vision of the Divine Essence." This concept of happiness is rooted in Aristotelian thought, where the transition from potentiality to actuality is central, signifying a movement from an incomplete state to a complete one. This idea is echoed in Aquinas's adoption and adaptation of Aristotle's philosophy, focusing on human flourishing and the perfection of one's nature, as well as the integration of these concepts with Christian doctrine. Therefore, when Aquinas considers perfection and happiness, he places ultimate fulfillment in the beatific vision of God, which is the ultimate actualization and perfection of the human soul according to Christian theology.

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