Hooked on Philosophy: Thomas Aquinas Made Easy

by Robert A., Ph.D. O'Donnell

Father O'Donnell invites readers to the often daunting, but highly rewarding search for truth by introducing them to the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas with the promise that such an effort will produce a kind of "addicting euphoria.

Genres: Philosophy

122 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 1995

Reviews

[Joseph R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The philosophy and theology of Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican monk from the 1200s, follows in the steps of Aristotle (from the 300s BC!), covering almost every topic imaginable. This book moves through Aquinas's philosophy systematically, starting with epistemology (how we know things, both ideas and the world around us) and moving through metaphysics and natural theology ending in philosophical anthropology, considering human psychology and morality. O'Donnell does a good job summarizing topics and giving enough from other philosophers to situate the ideas in the broader context of the history of philosophy.

The book is very brief (barely 100 pages) so he has to condense a lot. Some bits felt oversimplified but that is a limitation in a basic introductory book. This makes a good starting point to get into more difficult summaries or into reading Thomas himself.

Mildly recommended.

[Sasha Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first chapter was good enough, but the project of explaining Aquinas in 110 pages is just too ambitious. A lot of difficulties are just skated over; even the analogy of being only gets the briefest of mentions. I think O'Donnell also draws too sharp a distinction between Aquinas and Kant.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-read, enjoyable and approachable introduction to some of Thomas Aquinas' thinking, perfect for complete philosophy noobs like me. Some of the early chapters put my brain in a knot, but every paragraph gave plenty of food for thought. Definitely made me want to learn more about Aquinas' work. The Afterthoughts on the differences between realism (<-Aquinas) and idealism (Descartes->) was very interesting and put Aquinas into a broader historical context, which was really cool.

Should look up Jacques Maritain and St. John Paul II's Crossing the Treshold of Hope.

[Ray Ciervo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I first went to seminary (2000) and had several courses centered around Thomistic philosophy. Until then I was shackled by my ignorance and barely kept up in class. After reading "Hooked" I got up to speed and even excelled in some classes. Thomas was a great philosopher/theologian but if you cannot understand his terms you're lost. "Hooked" opens Thomas for you. Good read.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent book, especially for beginners in philosophy. I wish I had known of it when I was starting college.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to Aquinas but also to other philosophical minds that molded thought about virtue.