Macau Ricci Institute Public Forum: Is Catholic theology pessimistic about human nature? A reflection according to St Thomas, Ricci and Pantoja
Date:
- Monday 24 February 2025
Venue:
- Multi-function Room (1F) in the Seminary Campus of University of St. Joseph
- 聖若瑟大學聖若瑟修院校區1樓多功能室
Cooperation Partner:
- University of St. Joseph
Online Platform:
Registration:
Speaker
Dr. Thomas Yilun Cai
Dr. Thomas Yilun Cai received his PhD in theology from KU Leuven. He teaches courses in dogmatic theology at University of Saint Joseph in Macau. Dr. Cai’s work is broadly engaged with the theology of Thomas Aquinas and the Thomistic school in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Introduction
For most Chinese people, Christian theology presents a typical pessimistic understanding of human nature after Adam's fall. Human nature in Christianity seems to be in stark contrast with the goodness of human nature in Confucianism, particularly in Mencius. However, a careful reading of Catholic doctrine on human nature will help us to discover the nuance in it. The lecture will explore the teaching of human nature in Ricci and Pantoja in light of St Thomas' theology and reflect on how the Christian encounter with Confucianism may enlighten us to discover the intellectual sources of the goodness of nature in Catholicism.
