BBC REVIEW: SCHOLASTICISM AND ITS FOUNDER Cast....................................................................................................... Anchor.Celine St. Thomas Aquinas..

Justice Confused StudentImani Students for TheologyCarly & Phoevy Students for AristotleEmily & Kimberly [BBC World News Music Plays] Anchor: Hello, and welcome to BBC World News. An astonishing discovery has been made recently as anthropologists and historians have gathered up bits and pieces of notes taken by students of the University of Paris at the time of St. Thomas Aquinas. A portrayal of the legacy of this man is currently in progress and we have an exclusive clip here, just for you BBC viewers. [Narration continues, but acting starts with a few raised hands and muted questions. Students are taking notes.] Anchor: In the beginning, Aristotle was hardly recognized as a philosopher as his works were not actively translated in Latin. Fortunately, though through commerce and cross-cultural encounters, the Roman Catholics were able to obtain Latin translations of the mans works. One of those people inspired and captivated by his works and undoubtedly influenced by them was Aquinas, who is mostly associated with the branch of thinking known as Scholasticism. [Queue working music.] Logic 1: [raises hand] I think that theres no higher power. We are not products of divine powers, and we have the power to reason out analyses on things. Logic 2: I agree; allow me to make an amendment to my fellows remark. I think that humans have a better perspective of how the world works and why events and occasions are the way they are. Divinity and ideas from the church seem outlandish. Theres a more logical backstory to the creation, purpose and doings of man. Theologian 1: [raises hand in sudden disgust] Wrong, absurd! There is a higher power and he is God in all three forms: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! He knows what he is going to do with us and why. That is that. Theologian 2: Of course God exists! To say otherwise is blasphemy! Confused Student: Oh my, Im afraid that I do not understand whats going on. I came here to learn rather than listen to arguments on conviction; I did not come here to listen to my peers verbally contradict my other peers! Thomas Aquinas: Settle down, class. And theres no need to worry, my students, for all of you are right to some extent in my view. The works of Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, have been translated into the Latin tongue. All of us shall be enlightened as I have been. This brilliant man has helped me harmonize logic with the church so there will be no future dispute. I do not believe that you have to

truly believe in God to have faith in him or to make him tangible if I may say so. To my logical minds: theres a legitimate way of proving the existence of God. Aristotle, my good man, has a theory or idea that there is a higher power responsible for setting the world in motion. Whos to say that the power hes hinting at is not the Jews and Christians deity? Whos to say that his plans for all are presented in the scriptures of the Hebrews and the Testaments of the Christians? Its logic and reasoning, my students, with a blend of Christianity. And what shall we call this new, fresh way of thinking? Scholasticism! Scholasticism will be an endeavor to bring a majority of Aristotelian logic to meet Christian theology! [Students look at each other with looks of approval.] Theologian 1: So, does that mean God is both logical and of revelation? Logic 2: Yes, it makes sense now! Logic 1: So logic and divine revelation must be complementary and must not conflict! Theologian 2: I see what Monsieur Aquinas is saying. Both are Gods will for human beings. [Actors go back to their seats.] Anchor: What a marvelous documentary it will be, truly. By jove, what a remarkable man St. Thomas Aquinas was. If it were not for scholastic thinkers and Aristotelian studies, where would we be today? University-wise? Thinking-wise? Thats all for tonight, and thank you for viewing BBC World News.