Is there a philosophy of the heart in Saint Thomas?

Abstract

The "philosophia cordis" is a philosophical perspective that emphasizes a receptive openness, both cognitive and affective, towards reality, understanding the world as laden with meaning and intrinsic value. This philosophy recognizes the "inner world" as particularly rich in significance and posits that the human heart possesses an irreplaceable and true spiritual core. Saint Thomas Aquinas explores this notion through different meanings of the heart, from its physical-organic sense to its role as the seat of sensitive affectivity. Passions, such as joy, distress, and anger, manifest physically in the heart, affecting its movement and reflecting emotional states.