On Aquinas

by Herbert McCabe

The revival of interest in Aquinas has run simultaneously with the rise of interest in Aristotle, on whose philosophy Aquinas based his own. On Aquinas is a masterly work of exposition written with breathtaking clarity. By the use of simple modern analogy, McCabe brings Aquinas's thought to life and underlines the crucial influence of Aquinas on our own contemporary thought. It is rare to find a work of philosophical exposition which is exciting to read. Even those who are unfamiliar with Aquinas will find this book gripping. Published posthumously, this study is thoroughly rewarding and will increase McCabe's reputation as one of Britain's finest theologians of recent years.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Catholic, Religion

180 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2008

About the author

Herbert McCabe was a much loved member of the English Province of the Dominican Order of Preachers. He was born on the 2nd August 1928 and studied chemistry and philosophy before joining the Dominicans in 1949.

“Faith seeking understanding” guided him through his life’s vocation - the study and teaching of the writings of St Thomas Aquinas. His work as a student chaplain led to the publication of The New Creation (1964) and Law, Love and Language (1968). Social radicalism and profound orthodoxy met and matched in Herbert’s thinking and preaching.

He was editor of New Blackfriars from 1964. Controversy attended these years in his life and ministry, and after some time in Ireland he taught in Oxford in the mid 1970s. “He had an unrivalled clarity of utterance, and in his hands Thomas became a vivid living voice...” (Eamon Duffy, The Tablet, 7 July 2001).
He regarded as his finest work the booklet The Teaching of the Catholic Church which was a catechism rooted in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council commissioned by the then Archbishop of Birmingham.

A loyal friend, fierce critic of woolly thinking and passionate advocate of social justice, he was made a Master of Sacred Theology by the Dominican order in 1989. He died on the 28th of June 2001.

Reviews

[David Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCabe's introduction to Aquinas is a lecture series which was edited by Brian Davies. It is an interesting approach to the thought of Aquinas written by a prominent analytical thomist. He is clearly influenced by both the Angelic doctor and the writings of Wittgenstein. He interacts a great deal with Anthony Kenny, whom he occassionally agrees with, but, more often, disagrees with. This is a very helpful introduction which should be read by every contemporary thinker! Period.

[Alfredo Nicolás Dueñas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy and quick intro to a Wittgensteinian reading of Aquinas. It seems like there are some issues to resolve here, a little bit of a Cartesian hangover hovering above the sensation/experience bit in a way that Kerr would absolutely rip to shreds, which makes me wonder what was going on. Some repeats from the reader, but a good read regardless.

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this series of lectures on Aquinas, McCabe treats the reader to a digestible introduction to the philosophy of the great doctor of the church. Bereft of unnesessary jargon, and chock-full of humour, McCabe provides a model of doing philosophy with Aquinas that is more than just a study of philosophy.

[Colin Heber-Percy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conversational, salty and insightful, McCabe's idiosyncratic introduction to Aquinas's thought is wonderful: wise, witty and eminently readable. For McCabe, accurate philosophical engagement with the world went on sabbatical between Descartes and Marx: in other words, the Enlightenment and its corollary - Romanticism, were philosophical deserts. And in this book he lets rip with his customary wit and precision at various targets. These are effectively transcripts of a series of lectures, and they make very entertaining reading.

[Shaun Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since On Aquinas stems from lectures given by McCabe and later edited by his literary executed, Brian Davies, it's not the best written book in the world, but it's an enjoyable and insightful read. I would recommend it to people interested in Aquinas, McCabe, postliberalism, Wittgenstein and philosophy of language, or similar topics.

[Donald West]

Just beginning to read.