Christian Classics

St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province 5 Volu

5 stars (Better than the Oxford Blackfriars) - Of course, the Oxford Blackfriar's 60-volume edition would bankrupt most of us by it's sheer expense. But if one wants an English translation opposite the Latin original, it's certainly the reference work that many scholars prefer. For the rest of us, the English Dominican Fathers' translation of the early 20thC. is very, very good indeed. It's single virtue is that the same translation of words is used consistently throughout, even if the particular choice of words might not strike 21stC. readers in quite the same way. Some of the language is beginning to show its wear and tear, but once one is in the mindset, the reading is exceptionally clear. For those new to Aquinas, his methodology may strike some readers as odd. It's really a simple, yet elegant, system. First, Aquinas poses a question to be answered. Then he gives a variety of answers from others in the past. When you see, "but I reply," then you know you're getting to nugget of Aquinas' gems. After his reply, he responds to each of the previous author's opinions, stating why or how they are in any way deficient. Several features become instantly obvious. Aquinas had an encyclopedic mind and a good knowledge of Patristic and Aristotlean thought. Whenever possible, his answers are an a priori synthesis of the best Patristics and the best of Aristotle. These five, dense volumes in this edition illustrate the majestic scope of his enterprise. (His Summa Contra Gentiles is very similar.) There isn't really a subject or vantage that Aquinas doesn't cover. All his Summas are really magisterial (in the non-ecclesiastical sense). Lastly, Aquinas' command of the syllogism is unparalleled in human history. This is at once both its strength and its weakness. Strength in the sense of deductive logic, weakness in the sense of inductive logic. I'm convinced one can use the syllogism to argue just about anything, and if Aquinas is an example, he's an example of this mastery...
Christian Classics :: Theology :: Doctrinal :: Spirituality - General :: Religion - Roman Catholic :: Religion :: Early works to 1800 :: Doctrines :: Christianity - Theology - Catholic :: :: St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica (translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province) (5 Volu