Abstract:
The aim of the lecture is to show that humans are religious beings, that is we cannot be humans without being religious. The most basic level is metaphysics, especially the doctrine of the real distinction between essence and existence. According to Thomas Aquinas all created beings are composed of essence and existence. Humans are composed too. Because of that all beings must be sustained in thier existence by God. Rational beings can discover it and respond to God. This is what we name religion. It is positive response made by rational created beings to God. What is more, even atheism is possible because of our relation to God but in this case the response in negative. One of the best examples of this metaphysical background is Edith Stein, who had discovered in her own existence another one, divine.
Speaker:
Rafal Szopa teaches at the Department of Humanities of Wrocław University of Technology. His specialization is Christian philosophy and his scientific interests are metaphysics, natural philosophy, epistemology, Philosophy of God, philosophy of religion, and ethics.