Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker (Penguin Philosophy) (Paperback)

~ F. C. Copleston (Author) "NOBODY would be prepared to maintain that in studying the development of political society in Europe we could profitably omit all consideration of the Middle..." (more)
Key Phrases: first unmoved mover, human positive law, existential dependence, Middle Ages, Duns Scotus, Corpus Aristotelicum (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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. Father Copleston's lucid and stimulating book examines this extraordinary man - whose influence is perhaps greater today than in his own lifetime - and his thought, relating his ideas wherever possible to problems as they are discussed today.

About the Author

Fr. Frederick Copleston (1907-1994) was the Principal of Heythrop College, University of London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (January 30, 1956)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140136746
• ISBN-13: 978-0140136746
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,549 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aquinas is an excellent introduction to Thomas's thought., October 2, 1998

By A Customer

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, December 14, 2004

By	Brad Shorr "Word Sell, Inc." (Geneva, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview and introduction to Aquinas., July 28, 2007

By	Keith Roe (Flemingsburg, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.