According to the passage, the historical example of Thomas Aquinas demonstrates that:

Question

According to the passage, the historical example of Thomas Aquinas demonstrates that:

1. A. Faith is always superior to reason
2. B. Reason can support and illuminate faith (Correct answer)
3. C. Reason and faith should never interact
4. D. Faith alone can provide empirical knowledge

Correct Answer

Option B — Reason can support and illuminate faith

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Reason can support and illuminate faith.

Key Points

• The passage states that *medieval thinkers like Thomas Aquinas argued that reason could illuminate and support faith, showing that rational reflection and divine revelation need not contradict one another*.
• The answer restates this: reason can support and illuminate faith.

Additional Information

• Option A (faith always superior) is not Aquinas's point as presented — the passage stresses compatibility, not hierarchy.
• Option C (they should never interact) is the opposite of the example's purpose.
• Option D (faith alone provides empirical knowledge) confuses the two domains the passage keeps distinct.
• Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian and philosopher, is the standard example of the attempt to harmonise Aristotelian reasoning with Christian doctrine.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*