"The theologian considers sin mainly as an offence against God; the moral philosopher as contrary to reasonableness"
- Thomas Aquinas
About this Quote
Thomas Aquinas' quote speaks with the difference in between the way a theologian and an ethical thinker view sin. To a theologian, sin is primarily an offense versus God, a violation of His laws and rules. To an ethical philosopher, sin is viewed as contrary to reasonableness, a violation of the concepts of morality and justice. This distinction is important due to the fact that it highlights the different ways in which sin is seen and comprehended. Theologians tend to focus on the spiritual and religious elements of sin, while ethical theorists focus on the ethical and reasonable aspects. Both perspectives are important in comprehending the nature of sin and its effects. Eventually, both perspectives are needed in order to fully understand the complexity of sin and its implications.
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