A Conference Presentation Delivered by Fr. Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P.

Father Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P. has delivered a presentation at the conference titled Pain and Suffering: From Problematic Experience to Knowledge and Solution. The conference was organized in November 2023 as part of the international research project titled The Dynamic Theodicy Model: Understanding God, Evil and Evolution in Rijeka (Croatia). Fr. Tabaczek’s contribution presented a Thomistic perspective on the ontology of pain and related it to some contemporary research on this topic. The PDF file with the presentation is available HERE. The extended version of the research covered in his presentation will be published in the journal Scientia et Fides.

Abstract of the presentation:

Contrary to the commonly assumed opinion that Christianity sees pain as metaphysically evil (malum simpliciter) – where evil is defined as the lack of something good – Aquinas defines pain not as a privation but rather a passion of the soul, i.e., an emotion that depends on sensual and/or intellective cognition of something evil, is good in itself, and may serve a purpose. In my presentation I offer an abbreviated formalized version of the Thomistic definition of pain and related negative (unpleasant) emotions experienced by humans. I also compare and contrast this view with some contemporary scientific and philosophical models of pain.