St. Thomas Aquinas
Medieval Catholic philosopher
St.
Thomas Aquinas was a thirteenth-century Italian theologian and philosopher whose synthesis of Christian doctrine with Aristotelian philosophy became foundational to Catholic thought.
His *Summa Theologica* remains central to Catholic theology.
Aquinas is known for arguments for God's existence (the "Five Ways") and for natural law theory in ethics.
He was canonized in 1323 and named a Doctor of the Church.
Aquinas's comprehensive theological synthesis
- Doctor of the ChurchSaint recognized for doctrine
- faith and reasonComplementary paths to truth
- TrinityGodhead as three persons
- transubstantiationChange of underlying substance
grace · salvation · providence · incarnation · theological virtues · apologetics · revelation · dogma
Of ancient systematic philosophy
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- causalityCause-effect connection
- unmoved moverSelf-sufficient first cause
natural law · realism · epistemology · ontology · analytic · substance · universals · intellect
Inherent moral principles
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- justiceFair treatment under law
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
cardinal virtues · practical reason · conscience · common good · habitus · moral virtues · happiness · telos
Official declaration of sainthood
- influencePower to affect others
- seminariesInstitutions training clergy
- perennial philosophyUniversal truths across traditions
Preaching order member
- medieval universityEuropean school, Middle Ages
- ParisFrance's chief city
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
- dialecticsReasoning through contradiction
Peter Lombard · systematic · summa · synthesis · Latin · magister
Summa Theologica
Aquinas's comprehensive theological synthesis
- Doctor of the ChurchSaint recognized for doctrine
- faith and reasonComplementary paths to truth
- TrinityGodhead as three persons
transubstantiation · grace · salvation · providence · incarnation · theological virtues · apologetics · revelation · dogma · sacraments
Aristotelian
Of ancient systematic philosophy
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- causalityCause-effect connection
unmoved mover · natural law · realism · epistemology · ontology · analytic · substance · universals · intellect
natural law
Inherent moral principles
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- justiceFair treatment under law
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
fortitude · cardinal virtues · practical reason · conscience · common good · habitus · moral virtues · happiness · telos · voluntary action
canonization
Official declaration of sainthood
- influencePower to affect others
- seminariesInstitutions training clergy
- perennial philosophyUniversal truths across traditions
Dominican
Preaching order member
- medieval universityEuropean school, Middle Ages
- ParisFrance's chief city
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
dialectics · Peter Lombard · systematic · summa · synthesis · Latin · magister
- Catholic SaintsFrancis of Assisi, Saint Anthony, Saint Augustine, Saint Benedict, Saint Francis
- ChestertonFather Brown, St. Francis of Assisi, paradox, Catholic convert
- Catholic historypapacy, Vatican, Pope, dioceses, Catholic Church
- medieval governancefeudal hierarchy, vassalage, lordship, commons, royal authority
St. Thomas Aquinasatheist
One denying gods exist
Friedrich Nietzsche · Bertrand Russell · David Hume · agnostic · infidel
St. Thomas AquinasDavid Hume
Scottish Enlightenment philosopher
William of Ockham · nominalist · empiricist · skeptic · John Locke
St. Thomas AquinasMartin Luther
Protestant Reformation founder
irrationalist · John Calvin · Protestant · mystic · Pseudo-Dionysius
Thomas, Aquinas, aqua, aquatic, aquarium, aqueous, aquifer, subaqueous