To: dark_lord
What we call science today has little relationship to what they called science back then.
sci·ence Pronunciation Key (sns)
n.
1.
a. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena [Intelligent Design].
b. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.
c. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study. 2. Methodological activity, discipline, or study.
The word has two most significant senses and Aquinas was using second sense, but even the first sense (in bold) can apply. The medieval dictum that "theology is the queen of the sciences" is as true today as it was 700 years ago, and good science is as dependent on good theology as it was 700 years ago. It's no accident that Western natural science arose from within a Christian worldview.
To: Aquinasfan
The medieval dictum that "theology is the queen of the sciences" is as true today as it was 700 years ago,Gauss said that mathematics is the queen of the sciences, and that number theory is her crown, with the Law of Quadratic Reciprocity as its most precious jewel.
To: Aquinasfan
You claim theology as a science, and define it so:
==
sci·ence Pronunciation Key (sns)
n.
1.
a. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena [Intelligent Design].
b. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.
c. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study.
2. Methodological activity, discipline, or study.
==
But even that 1st definition depends on that little word "and". Experimental investigation is a requirement, not an option. Very little of theology is experimental, unless you are advocating the practice of theurgy as part of theology, as in:
Main Entry: the·ur·gy
Pronunciation: 'thE-(")&r-jE
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin theurgia, from Late Greek theourgia, from theourgos miracle worker, from Greek the- + ergon work -- more at WORK
Date: 1569
: the art or technique of compelling or persuading a god or beneficent or supernatural power to do or refrain from doing something
- the·ur·gic /thE-'&r-jik/ or the·ur·gi·cal /-ji-k&l/ adjective
Now, if you are willing to define theology as including theurgy, then I would would concede that it could be considered a science, although few theologians are then "practical" scientists, rather they are all "theoretical" scientists.
To: Aquinasfan
Of course, Moslem Theology, Buddhist Theology, Hopi Theology, Shinto Theology, Hindu Theolog, and Scientologist Theology make the same claim.
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