Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker

by Frederick Charles Copleston

Book Overview

Aquinas (1224-74) lived at a time when the Christian West was opening up to a wealth of Greek and Islamic philosophical speculation. An embodiment of the thirteenth-century ideal of a unified interpretation of reality (in which philosophy and theology work together in harmony), Aquinas was remarkable for the way in which he used and developed this legacy of ancient thought-an achievement which led his contemporaries to regard him as an advanced thinker...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140136746
• ISBN13: 9780140136746
• Release Date: January 1956
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Excellent

Fr. Copleston is a man actually worthy of the title "teacher." It is fitting that, in this book, he is writing (and illuminating) the philosophy of one of the world's greatest minds and teachers.

The "veritate", according to Aquinas

This was not a trivial book, a real tour the force trying to sync with Aquinas thought and understand part of the Christian, more specifically Catholic, theology and dogmas. The philosophy of this dominican priest of the thirteen century is based in plain reasoning, focusing in great deal on the "questions of language". His four reasons for the existance of God, his reflections about evil, sin and soul were the most interesting to know in my case, although he has opinion on several other issues, like politics and society. All this search for knowlegde is developed on a medieval society, and it is important to be aware of that context in order to appreciate Aquinas thought, as historical or of metaphysical relevance.

Excellent overview and introduction to Aquinas.

I found the book to be well written and readable. Covering the major ideas of Aquinas while pointing out what was left out as well as contrasting his ideas with other philosophers. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Aquinas' ideas.

Very Informative

With no real schooling in our aptitude for philosophy, I couldn't follow Aquinas, although I've always been very interested in his ideas, especially his rational proofs of the existence of God. Fr. Copleston's book was immensely helpful. His writing style is clear and elegant. He avoids technical philosophical jargon whenever possible and illustrates difficult concepts with everyday, real life examples. He also does a thorough job of comparing and contrasting Aquinas and his major influence, Aristotle. On occasion Copleston remarks on how Aquinas differs from Kant and other more contemporary thinkers; I wish there had been a little more of that as well, but I imagine his multi-volume History of Philosophy covers all that in detail. I think this book is a fantastic place to start for anyone interested in Aquinas and Middle Ages philosophy in general.

Aquinas is an excellent introduction to Thomas's thought.

Father Copleston's book is an excellent introduction to the philosophy of St. Thomas. A man of great intellectual depth, Copleston's lucid style makes Aquinas good reading for both academic study and personal philosophical/spiritual enjoyment.