The Routledge Guidebook to Aquinas' Summa Theologiae: The Routledge Guidebook to Aquinas' Summa Theologiae (The Routledge Guides to the Great Books)

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The Routledge Guidebook to Aquinas' Summa Theologiae introduces readers to a work which represents the pinnacle of medieval Western scholarship and which has inspired numerous commentaries, imitators, and opposing views. Outlining the main arguments Aquinas utilizes to support his conclusions on various philosophical and theological questions, this clear and comprehensive guide explores: the historical context in which Aquinas wrotea critical discussion of the topics outlined in the text including theology, metaphysics, epistemology, psychology, ethics, and political theorythe ongoing influence of the Summa Theologiae in modern philosophy and theology. Offering a close reading of the original work, this guidebook highlights the central themes of Aquinas’ masterwork and is an essential read for anyone seeking an understanding of this highly influential work in the history of philosophy. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Series editor’s preface Preface PART I GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Thomas Aquinas’ life, work, and impact The life of Thomas Thomas in context The Summa theologiae among Thomas’ other writings Thomism today Suggestions for further reading PART II THE EXITUS/REDITUS OF THE SUMMA THEOLOGIAE SECTION 1 METAPHYSICAL STARTING-POINTS (PRIMA PARS) 2 God’s existence and essence Preface—How to read the Summa Question 1—The subject of the Summa Question 2—Arguments for God’s existence Questions 3–26—The divine perfections Questions 27–43—The Trinity Suggestions for further reading 3 Creation Preface Questions 44–49—Creation ex nihilo and the origin of the universe Questions 65–74—The “six days” of creation Questions 103–105 and 115–116—Divine governance and order within the universe Questions 50–64 and 106–114—On angels and demons Suggestions for further reading 4 Human nature Preface Question 75—Immateriality of the human soul Question 76—Union of body and soul Questions 77–78—The defining capacities of human nature Questions 79, 84–89—How and what the human intellect knows Questions 80–83—Freedom of the human will Questions 90–102—Nature of the first human beings Questions 118–119—Production of human beings Suggestions for further reading SECTION 2 THE MORAL JOURNEY (SECUNDA PARS) 5 The structure of human actions Preface Questions 1–5—Happiness Questions 6–7—The nature of voluntary action Questions 8–17—Interactivity of intellect and will in voluntary action Suggestions for further reading 6 The morality of human actions Preface Questions 18–21—Good and evil in human actions Questions 22–48—The influence of passions Questions 90–114—Law and grace Suggestions for further reading 7 Virtue and beatitude, vice and sin Preface Questions 49–56—The concept of virtue Questions 57–67—Types of virtue Questions 68–70—Perfection of the virtues Questions 71–89—Vice and sin Suggestions for further reading 8 Theological and cardinal virtues (secunda secundae) Preface Questions 1–16—Theological virtue: faith Questions 17–22—Theological virtue: hope Questions 23–46—Theological virtue: charity Questions 47–56—Cardinal virtue: prudence Questions 57–122—Cardinal virtue: justice Questions 123–140—Cardinal virtue: fortitude Questions 141–170—Cardinal virtue: temperance Suggestions for further reading SECTION 3 SPIRITUAL END (TERTIA PARS AND SUPPLEMENTUM) 9 Christ’s incarnation and the sacraments of the Church Preface Questions 1–26—Why and how God became human Questions 27–59—The life of Christ Questions 60–65—The sacraments in general Questions 66–Supp. 68—The sacraments in particular Suggestions for further reading 10 Life and judgment after death Preface Supp. Questions 69–86—Immortality of the human soul and bodily resurrection Supp. Questions 87–99—The world to come: heaven, hell, and purgatory Conclusion Suggestions for further reading PART III THE SUMMA TODAY 11 Contemporary Thomistic philosophy Preface Philosophical anthropology: dualism, materialism, and hylomorphism Ethics: from natural law to natural rights Application: bioethics at the margins of human life Application: environmental and animal ethics Suggestions for further reading Bibliography Index