Aquinas, Resurrection, and Material Continuity

Abstract

Aquinas's understanding of bodily resurrection can take two different directions. Either continuity of the soul alone is sufficient to reconstitute the same body as the premortem body at the resurrection, or continuity of the matter of the premortem body is also required. After arguing that Aquinas's account of personal identity over time requires sameness of soul and sameness of body, I suggest that Aquinas's two possible views on bodily resurrection are consistent with this account of personal identity and are both plausible views for Aquinas to take. (edited)