Thomistic Theory of Personal Relations

Formulation of the theory of personal relations- including the very phrase “personal relations”- is the unquestioned legacy of Mieczysław Gogacz, the founder of Consistent Thomism. This theory is a typical example of philosophical consequences drawn from the views of Aquinas, even though Thomas himself employs the term “personal relation” occasionally only, and nowhere further he provides its wider explanation. The topic of relations in general, especially personal relations, became the subject of deeper studies by students of Gogacz. It is them who – even when vividly questioning some ideas of their teacher - continue the fundamental insights of the founder of Consistent Thomism. Therefore, for the purpose of this presentation, we are limited here to the introduction of the theory of personal relations by the Professor. The theory of personal relations can, therefore, be regarded as a Thomistic version of a topic of presence,  accomplished by religion understood as personal relations of a human being with God, and by humanism considered as interpersonal references.