Guide To Philosophers

St Thomas Aquinas
(1225-1274)

Biography

Medieval philosopher and theologian, born in the castle of Roccasecca in the vicinity of Naples in southern Italy. He was brought up in a Benedictine monastery, and after that sent to the University of Naples to complete his studies. The university was one of few where a full range Aristotelian doctrine was studied. Here he came in contact with the Dominican order, and joined at the age of 20. Beginning in 1245 he studied first with Albert Magnus in Paris, followed by four years in Cologne before returning to Paris in 1252, where he stayed for seven years teaching theology at the University. He subsequently resided at Orvieto, Rome, Viterbo, Paris, and Naples, constantly building and defending his system, based on Aristotles' and adapting it to the needs of the 13th century.

Works

On Being and Essence (1242-43)
On Truth (1256-59)
On Potency (1259-63)
Of God and His Creatures (1260). First part, translated by Joseph Rickaby, S.J.
On the Divine Names (1261)
On Evil (1263-68)
Summa Theologica (1265-72)
On the Eternity of the World (1270)
On Seperate Substances (1271)

Aquinas On The Web

Better Aquinas site
Image - Vision of St. Thomas Aquinas (1423) - 48K
MDVLPHIL - discussion list on medieval philosophy.
More biography - from CMU. (Connection failed on Sep 9)
Extensive introduction to Aquinas by D.J. Kennedy.
Aquinas Mailing List

[Menu] [Top] [Aristotle]

Last modified November 7, 1995.