The System of Thomas Aquinas [Medieval Philosophy Illustrated from the System of Thomas Aquinas]

151 pp. Wulf, one of the leaders of the Neo-Thomistic revival, gives a concise exposition of the central doctrines formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas. In his introduction, he states that it is only through a close study of the historical Aquinas that one may judge the value of his thought today. The plan of the book follows the classifications set down by the Scholastics themselves. What they called theoretical philosophy is dealt with first, beginning with the theory of knowledge and ideas, judgment, reasoning, and consciousness. This is followed by a closer examination of the directing principles of knowledge, and other aspects of the epistemological problem, such as moderate realism versus universals. The problem of desire and freedom is taken up, as well as space and time, the universe of individuals, and Monism. The process of change, involving actuality, potentiality, matter, form, causality, and essence, is dealt with, and this leads into studies on the soul and body. The section ends with proofs of the existence of God, and exposition of the divine attributes. The second portion of the book deals with 'practical' philosophy. This concerns itself with such areas of Thomist thought as morality, the problem of ends or aims, obligation and moral law, and responsibility. The problem of the individual versus the state is dealt with, as well as the uses and methods of science. Also examined are the objective and subjective aspects of beauty, the divisions of philosophy, and such doctrinal characteristics of Scholasticism as the sense of limit, and relations to Catholic theology.