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Summaries and Short Reviews

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Shvoong Home>Arts & Humanities>Philosophy>Aquinas' 'Summa Theologica' Summary

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Aquinas' 'Summa Theologica'

Book Summary by: AcaDemon    


A unique case in the history of philosophy/theology is that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was both a theologian and philosopher.
Aquinas is distinct from other theologians in that his 'Summa Theologica' he asks questions appropriate to philosophy, rather than concentrating on exegesis. This paper shows that in his 'Summa Theologica', Aquinas asks why an infinite being must exist and he demonstrates this existence of a God through a logical evaluation of the natural world, without resorting to exegesis or faith to prove it. The paper shows that while it was surely difficult for Aquinas to maintain a purely philosophical stance in pursuing the question of God's existence, because of his theological stake in the topic at hand, he managed to do so. His first four arguments in 'Summa Theologica' are generally strong, with the third one being of superior persuasion. Nevertheless, Aquinas' theological interest in demonstrating God's existence becomes apparent in his fifth argument, which rests on a premise of questionable truth.
Published: November 12, 2006
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