Moral goodness and friendship with God: The moral teachings of Thomas Aquinas and Hamid Al-Ghazali
Marianne Farina, Boston College

Date: 2004

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to trace the trajectories of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali and of Thomas Aquinas, in determining the role which their traditions' understanding of the ultimate end for human beings has on the execution of human actions and the norms guiding that execution. Each of these thinkers is paradigmatic for their respective traditions; though little direct influence can be traced from the earlier (Ghazali) to the later, their articulation of the final end for human beings, together with the paths to reach that end, show remarkable parallels. As these are traced, we can discover the effects of such a comparative study in clarifying the work of both thinkers. Illuminating in itself, such a comparative strategy can also be seen to hold great promise for theological inquiry in our times.

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