O CORPO E SEUS MEIOS DISCIPLINADORES: UMA ANÁLISE DAS QUESTÕES 153 E 154 NA SUMA TEOLÓGICA, DE TOMÁS DE AQUINO (SÉCULO XIII)

Abstract

The body has always roused interest in the most diverse areas of knowledge. However, there are many gaps to be filled on this topic, particularly regarding to medieval Christian sources like the Summa Theologica, by Thomas Aquinas. Therefore, we aim, based on the Content Analysis methodology, to analyze Aquinas’ work in order to understand what were the disciplinary means used in his speech to control the body of the faithful, especially regarding to the sin of lust. To achieve our main objective, we first defined what was Aquinas’ conception of the body, as well as we established whether there was, for him, any difference between male and female bodies. Then, we debated whether the transformations that were in progress during the 12th and 13th centuries influenced the Thomasian discourse in any way, as we understand that all the transformations that occurred throughout this time would have led him to realize that his faithful no longer accepted so readily the Christian dogmas imposed on them, without first understanding more elaborate theological justifications. We believe, therefore, that the Summa Theologiae was written with the aim of explaining, reaffirming, and adapting complex theological issues to new times.