Aquinas, Thomas (1225-1274)Italian
Dominican Priest and philosophical theologian.
He is known, principally, as the author of the Summa Theologiae
and in modern times was made official philosopher of the Roman Catholic Church.
However, his work continues to be studied by students of philosophy with no
special religious interest. He wrote several commentaries on the work of
Aristotle, as well as on Proclus, Pseudo-Dionysius
and Peter Lombard. His literary achievement was immense, and his impact is
second only to Augustine’s. He describes the Summa Theologiae
as
a textbook for beginners in the Christian faith who required an uncluttered
overview of basic Christian truths; though he also insisted that it is our love
of God, not our knowledge, which truly matters in life.
He
became a friar in the order of preachers in 1244, studied in Paris and Cologne
between 1245-52, lectured in Paris 1252-9, in Italy 1259-68, before returning to
Paris in 1268 and then moving on to Naples in 1272 to establish
a studium (a
Catholic house of studies). He was canonised in 1323.
Related Topics:
Contributed
by: Richard P Whaite
|
To return to the previous topic,
click on your browser's 'Back' button. |
|
