The Specification of Human Actions in St Thomas Aquinas (Oxford Theological Monographs) [Hardcover]

Joseph Pilsner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0199286051 | ISBN-13: 978-0199286058 | Publication Date: July 6, 2006

Thomas Aquinas believed that human actions have species, such as theft or almsgiving. A problem arises, however, concerning his teaching on how such moral kinds are determined. Aquinas uses five different terms - end, object, matter, circumstance, and motive - to identify what gives species to human actions. Although similarities in meaning can be discerned between certain of these terms, apparent differences between others make it difficult to grasp how all five could refer to what specifies human actions. Joseph Pilsner examines and compares Aquinas's understanding of these five terms to see if a consistent account of his teaching on specification can be proposed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...comprehensive and insightful study. Jean Porter, Religious Studies

About the Author

Joseph Pilsner is Assistant Professor of Theology, University of St Thomas, Houston.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199286051
• ISBN-13: 978-0199286058
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,640,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and thorough study, November 9, 2009

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This review is from: The Specification of Human Actions in St Thomas Aquinas (Oxford Theological Monographs) (Hardcover)

Pilsner's book is a balanced and thorough study of the Thomistic corpus on this admittedly narrowly focused topic. However specific it may be, Pilnser presents the aspects of this foundational subject with clarity of thought and with organization, while avoiding many of the polemics that unfortunately characterize the contemporary debate surrounding these questions.