Guide to Thomas Aquinas

Pieper, Josef (1991). Guide to Thomas Aquinas. San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 182 pages.This is a short (182 pages) introduction to (St.) Thomas Aquinas, the leading philosopher/theologian of the Middle Ages (13th Century), by one of the leading Thomists of the 20th Century. It first acknowledges the excellent works of such as G.K. Chesterton and Etienne Gilson on Aquinas and his times, and then proceeds, by biography and ideas, to show what Aquinas did: marrying the reason of Aristotle with the revelation of the Bible. Truth is one, and not to be feared wherever found.Thomas jointed the Dominican Order at a young age, and became first student and then teacher in Paris, and at the University of Paris. Contrary to today’s cliches, Thomas defended positions then thought to be heretical, including the poverty of the medicant orders (Dominican and Franciscan), and rescued Aristotle from the taint of Arabic sources. Finally, Thomas was also a mystic, a saint, and THE Doctor of the Church, whose work became orthodoxy (although, as Pieper point out, Thomas was not a “Thomist” and did not create a closed system of knowledge).As a young man, I translated De ente et essentia (in the library at Duquesne University), and read Chesterton, Maritain, Gilson, Copleston, J.H. Newman, Aquinas, and Pieper himself (The End of Time). Father James Schall S.J. has rightly promoted Pieper (Leisure: The basis of culture) as one of the great writers of the 20th Century, in part because of his promotion of Aquinas and of learning which open to all of reality.Thomas says that we cannot have real philosophy unless it is fully open to reality, which includes theology. The university which excludes theology is no longer focused on the whole truth. The truth of reason is important, but so is the truth of revelation (The Bible). The two cannot contradict and must complement each other. Thomas helped make Aristotle known and acceptable to the West, including the Catholic Church, but also is based upon Plato and Augustine.Aquinas was also a Latin poet, as evidenced by his Corpus Christi hymns. His method of argument was/is a model, in setting forth the best version of the arguments for each position, with respect and courtesy. Thomas died at age 50, but produced an outstanding volume of work, including the Summa contra Gentiles, and the Summa Theologica. Like Pieper, he believed that good philosophy should be based upon the common language, and upon clear writing.Cf. G.K. Chesterton. St. Thomas Aquinas. Etienne Gilson. The Christian philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Walsh. Thirteenth: Greatest of Centuries.

For an interested amateur like me, this book just hit the spot. Pieper illuminates the circumstances of Thomas' life - the well-off family with expectations that he would seek a respectable position, his university studies in Naples and his decision to join a new mendicant [begging] order. This was a critical decision for Thomas - he left the wealth and connections of his family behind and became a preacher and teacher for an order sworn to voluntary poverty. Pieper also documents enough of the world of the time. It was the violence of the crusade against the Albigensians that led St Dominic to set up his order - he saw that people would be won back to Christianity if they could receive sound teaching from men who lived like them, but not by violence or preaching from churchmen who flaunted their wealth. Speaking about how religious orders set up with great hopes later became fat and lazy - Pieper quotes a 13th century Cistercian describing the process as a tragic law: discipline engenders wealth and wealth destroys the discipline.In intellectual matters 13th century Europe was highly influenced by obtaining additional books written by the Ancient Greek Aristotle [translated from the Arabic]. Some aspects of Aristotle's thought were used to challenge Christianity - so the authorities [sometimes and inconsistently] banned them. It is fascinating that at a time when the Pope had forbidden the study of some of Aristotle's work, St Thomas, St Bonaventure and others just went on reading. Thomas' view was that where Aristotle's teaching was true, it must be reconcilable with Christianity, and if false, then one should note his views and explain why one disagreed.Pieper explains how Thomas would introduce a proposition, and then write down the strongest arguments against it that he knew, and only then address the arguments and conclude to his own view. So if one is reading Thomas one will often come across very strong and plausible arguments for a view that he didn't hold - it is his summary of the opposing views. Be careful.I found Pieper's explanation of the philosophical difference between essence and existence to be the simplest/clearest I have seen. I have seen other accounts which just left me confused. A good book.

A really interesting analysis of Saint Thomas philosophy and theology as well as part of his life. I recommend it to those that like these matters without being experts like me.

This is likely to become - if it is not already - a classic introduction to both St. Thomas Aquinas and the tumultuous 13th century. Piefer does an excellent job of taking very dense subject matters and making them accessible.

The only commentator that comes close to providing this sort of real introduction to Thomas is Etienne Gilson, and while Gilson really goes to the depths of things (so to speak), Pieper really does provide both depth and breadth--an account that really paints the picture of Thomas in his time, and in his order. The lecture series format here is perfect for his task.

Lo mejor que he leído sobre Santo Tomás. Lo recomiendo para iniciar su lectura. Justo en este su día 28 de Enero

excellent