Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae: A Guide and Commentary

by Brian Davies

This book is a detailed account of and commentary on Thomas Aquinas's most influential work: the Summa Theologiae. Intended for students and general readers interested in medieval philosophy and theology, the book will also appeal to professors and scholars, although it does not presuppose any previous knowledge of its subject.
Following a scholarly account of Aquinas's life, the book explores his purposes in writing the Summa Theologiae and works systematically through each of its three Parts. It also relates their contents and Aquinas's teachings to that of other works and other thinkers both theological and philosophical. In addition to being expository, the volume aims to help readers think about the value of the Summa Theologiae for themselves. The concluding chapter considers the impact Aquinas's best-known work has had since its first appearance, and why it is still studied today. Davies's study is a solid and reflective introduction both to the Summa Theologiae and to Aquinas in general.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion

472 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Brian Davies is a Dominican friar and Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York. He has published extensively on the thought of St Thomas Aquinas.

Reviews

[Mikael Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good companion to reading the _Summa_, it is relatively close to the text without becoming a line by line commentary. My only gripe is Davies' need to remove Aquinas from his historical context and discussing what Aquinas would have thought about current issues. This is in my not role of a commentary, or should at least be demarked as such. Over all, the book has helped me in understanding Aquinas _Summa_ and clarified many, if not all, of the vaguenesses of the text as well as introducing the philosophical and theological context of the _Summa_.

[A.J. Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a helpful, if a bit liberal, guide to reading the Summa. Do not read this book in place of the Summa. There are times when the author says Aquinas teaches one thing when, in fact, Aquinas teaches something else (meaning: when the author doesn't like a particularly difficult and nowadays unpopular yet scriptural teaching.) This was disappointing, but unsurprising, to me. Thankfully I had Aquinas to tell me himself what he believed. Aquinas, of course, believed the Scriptures. Something Davies and modern theologians have a problem with. I prefer to stick with the Scriptures, and with Aquinas, myself.

[Daniel Schotman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, clear and helpful introduction to this heavy going, difficult to understand and at times difficult to follow classical work. Highly recommended before you undertake a shot to read the ST. I never came further than the second book, so hopefully now, I will be better equipped.
Or perhaps I read the Cambridge Companion first too, before I will give it another try.

[Mills College Library]

230.2 D2552 2014