What the study found
The study finds that Thomas Aquinas’s thought is important for Edith Stein and Karol Wojtyła, especially for understanding truth as something real and foundational rather than merely historical. It also concludes that being modern in philosophy does not require breaking with philosophical tradition.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest that this helps show the importance of a metaphysical and anthropological view of truth, meaning truth understood in relation to reality and human beings. They also present this as relevant for Stein’s realist epistemology and Wojtyła’s realist ethics.
What the researchers tested
The paper examines the role of Thomas Aquinas in the philosophy of Edith Stein and Karol Wojtyła. It compares Stein’s response to Husserl’s idealistic phenomenology and dialogue with Max Scheler’s theory of values, and it studies Wojtyła’s links to Aquinas through ethics, human nature, and the relationship between truth and goodness.
What worked and what didn't
For Stein, Aquinas’s influence is said to appear especially in her reply to Husserl and her engagement with Scheler. For Wojtyła, the paper identifies four key points: the link between ethical acts and ethical experience, perfectionism as part of ethics, humans as beings rather than only consciousness, and the connection between truth and goodness. The paper also says these points shape Wojtyła’s response to Scheler and to the question of personal authenticity.
What to keep in mind
The abstract offers a broad philosophical interpretation rather than a detailed account of evidence or method. It also gives only a modest conclusion and does not describe specific limitations in the available summary.
Key points
- Thomas Aquinas is presented as an important influence on both Edith Stein and Karol Wojtyła.
- The paper links Stein to a realist epistemology and Wojtyła to a realist ethics.
- Stein’s relation to Aquinas is tied to her responses to Husserl and Max Scheler.
- Wojtyła’s relation to Aquinas is tied to ethical experience, perfectionism, human nature, and truth-goodness relations.
- The authors conclude that modern philosophy can remain connected to tradition.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Truth, tradition, and modern philosophy in Stein and Wojtyła
- Authors:
- Miriam Ramos Gómez, Charlie Jorge Fernández
- Institutions:
- Catholic University of Ávila, Universitat de les Illes Balears
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-13
- DOI:
- 10.3390/rel17030357
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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