A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas: A Handbook for Peeping Thomists

by Ralph McInerny

Book Overview

Thomism is solidly based on the assumption that we know the world first through our senses and then through concepts formed on the basis of our sense experience. In this informally discursive introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas, Ralph McInerny shows how this basic assumption contrasts with dominant modern alternative views and is developed by Thomas into a coherent view of ourselves, of knowledge, and of God.

McInerny first places Thomism in context within philosophical inquiry, discussing the relationship between philosophy and theology, and between modern and classical views of philosophy. He then describes the challenges Thomas faced with the introduction of Aristotle's works into the Christian West. The reader is subsequently guided through such key concepts as art, nature, causes, and motion and shown how Thomas used these concepts to resolve the problems presented by Aristotle.

Each chapter is tied to a specific Thomistic text, providing a sample from a number of Thomas's works. In addition to articles from both Summas, there are sections from the Disputed Questions and the Commentaries, among others. McInerny also provides an annotated list of the writings of Thomas available in English. Bibliographical notes provided by the author, grouped by subject and following his general chapter divisions, will be particularly helpful for further reading.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0268009759
• ISBN13: 9780268009755
• Release Date: December 1989
• Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction to a Great Saint

It looks like this book will soon be relegated to the used book market only, but for a great introduction to the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, in all its breadth, it is surely in the top 10. If you are looking for a leg up to tackling the saint yourself, this is the book for you. McInerny breaks the Saint's thought into topics, many of which are connected as the chapters progress. Each chapter is short and digestible--3 to 5 pages. Then a short selection in St. Thomas' own words: you are reading the man himself and understanding what he is talking about. It isn't a large, indepth study, but a great first step for neophyte thomists.