Classical Theism, Philosophy, and Religion Forum / Poll: Do you consider yourself a Thomist?

**Posted by John West** 1/02/2017 12:56 pm

I'm trying to settle an old bet between Daniel and I:

**Posted by Proclus** 1/03/2017 10:26 am

I voted no, but I do agree with 90% of the things that both Thomas and Aristotle say. How can this be?

**Posted by John West** 1/03/2017 12:40 pm

In your case, if I had to guess, probably something like this.
I incline towards certain Thomistic theses about being (esse, Sein). I, however, think there are better ways to assay material objects, and account for objects' individuation. And this affects my views enough that I voted for “I'm not even an Aristotelian”.

**Posted by Karl3125** 1/03/2017 8:06 pm

Won over to Thomism first by John Finnis, then by Ed Feser.

**Posted by Etzelnik** 1/04/2017 9:31 am

I voted "not even Aristotelian" even though I pretty much am, because I happily absorb into a generally Maimonidean framework Platonist and even mystical concepts.

**Posted by John West** 1/04/2017 11:47 am

Welcome back. Congratulations on the marriage.

**Posted by John West** 1/08/2017 5:02 pm

I admit: this was closer than I expected. I knew we had more non-Aristotelians than most people (who seem to assume that the forum exists under a sort of Thomist yoke) realized. I, however, thought there would be fewer people who don't even consider themselves Aristotelian.

**Posted by DanielCC** 1/09/2017 5:55 pm

I *might* have taken the Aristotelian option - the main reason I didn't is because my metaphysics are closer to Thomism than pure Aristotelianism even if they are identical with neither. The general consensus is that people who don't fly the Thomist flag are unwilling to identify as Aristotelian due to the Platonic elements in their metaphysics.

**Posted by John West** 1/10/2017 11:31 am

DanielCC wrote:
I *might* have taken the Aristotelian option - the main reason I didn't is because my metaphysics are closer to Thomism than pure Aristotelianism even if they are identical with neither. The general consensus is that people who don't fly the Thomist flag are unwilling to identify as Aristotelian due to the Platonic elements in their metaphysics.

I purposefully phrased the poll in a subjective way to avoid wrangling over “What is a Thomist?”. I wonder, though, how many of (say) the twenty-four theses "no voters" actually reject.

**Posted by iwpoe** 1/10/2017 6:05 pm

I exclude myself from Thomism *first* because I don't admit of special Revelation. I'm also skeptical of his approach to the problem of Being, but not hostile to it.