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Thomas Aquinas: A Very Short Introduction First Edition

by Fergus Kerr (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 108 ratings
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Thomas Aquinas is one of the giants of medieval philosophy, a thinker who had--and who still has--a profound influence on Western thought. Aquinas was a controversial figure in his time who was often engaged in fierce theological debates. He was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology, and the father of the Thomistic school of philosophy and theology. This Very Short Introduction will look at Aquinas in a historical context, and explore the Church and culture into which Aquinas was born. It will consider Aquinas as philosopher and theologian, and will look at the relationship between philosophy and religion in the thirteenth century. Fergus Kerr, in this engaging and informative introduction, makes the Summa Theologiae, Aquinas's greatest single work, accessible to new readers. He also sheds valuable light on the importance of Thomas Aquinas in modern times, showing why Aquinas matters now, illustrating the significant role that the writings of Aquinas play in contemporary debate.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0199556644
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0199556649
  3. Edition
    First Edition
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    November 30, 2009
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6.8 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
  8. Print length
    127 pages
  9. See all details
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About the Author


Fergus Kerr is Honorary Fellow of the School of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh. He is widely recognized as a philosopher and theologian of high distinction. He is particularly well known for his work on Ludwig Wittgenstein and Thomas Aquinas. He is also Editor of the journal New Blackfriars.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; First Edition (November 30, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 127 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199556644
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199556649
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

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4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
108 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

toronto
5.0 out of 5 stars Laude
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2014
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This is an excellent short introduction, completely painless, just a delight. To say that the author displays vast erudition in a modest way is an understatement -- I was in awe at how much Kerr was able to work into this tight space. It is sketchy, but sketchy like a Blue Guide to Paris -- these are the big questions, this is where to look, and so on. Most of it is structured around the Summa T., and one could do worse than have it nearby if one is going to tackle the Summa. The last chapter is sort of weird -- short bits of how Aquinas influenced later work -- it ranges from the debate over the status of the peoples of the new world to the very obscure Thomists of the early 19th century (this looks like undigested material in prep for his book on 20th century catholic theologians). There's no mention of Richard Hooker or the later fate of the natural law tradition. But I didn't really mind, given the quality of the rest of the text.

In terms of "beginner's guides" I would give this to a real beginner, the next level up would be Feser or Kenny (my personal favourite from long ago), and then maybe Brian Davies, and the older but still valuable Copleston, Gilson, etc.
17 people found this helpful
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Webweaver
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Insight
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2019
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This introduction will provide an excellent insight and understand to the great work of St. Thomas. It is written in easily understood language, and in an enjoyable style. Not erudite, or boring. Would highly recommend for anyone who has little knowledge of St. Thomas or who has an interest in learning about the philosophy of St. Thomas.
I am always impressed regarding the influence that Plato and Aristotle had on famous Catholic theologans such as St. Thomas and St. Augustine.
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Daniel DeLucia
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Just go slow with it
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2021
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I am enjoying reading this book so far. There’s a lot of information here so I would say just go slow with it and highlight/take notes. It’s a great introduction to Thomas Aquinas’ thought, everything regarding the nature of God, the soul, angels, human acts, evil, human beings, virtue, theology, etc.
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Slo***dollarz
5.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2014
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This is exactly what it says it is. The book is small, looks quite nice, and is a short read. It deals with Aquinas' philosophy as much as his life, and does a good job of condensing it, though of course it does not get into any of his intricate arguments. Not a substitute for reading Aquinas by any stretch, but it was never intended to be. Instead, it's a great book to look through before reading his actual works.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2021
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Love the style, the philosophy and the theology blended in this narrative. This is a work I will recommend to my friends to read
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Judith Gribble
5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas Aquinas: A Very Short Introduction
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2014
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I have not yet read the book, but I wanted to get some information on this saint in a format that would be easy to read and absorb. I am very pleased that I could find a book such as this for my library.
One person found this helpful
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A. Gutierrez
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2018
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Excellent book and a great seller.
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DL
4.0 out of 5 stars A solid introduction
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2019
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This book does its job, presenting a solid introduction to an important part of the writings of Aquinas. It was great to see more context of the times and history that shaped Aquinas's writings, and should be an important part of their interpretation. The book did tend to flounder often, as if Kerr wasn't quite sure whether he should just tell you what Aquinas actually said, or if he should describe it instead. That led to some frustrating moments when I just wanted to shout, "But what did he actually say?"
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Dominic Bourn
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2021
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A really helpful and insightful guide to the life and works of Thomas Aquainas. The commentary helps the reader understand Thomas's love of Greek philosophy and his attempt to marry it to Christian theology. Thomas thought that reason came first!
2 people found this helpful
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Felix
1.0 out of 5 stars Bad print
Reviewed in Sweden on February 19, 2021
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Good book but the print on the right pages were terrible and will give you headache when reading.

Maybe the printer failed on this particular copy.
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Felix
1.0 out of 5 stars Bad print
Reviewed in Sweden on February 19, 2021
Good book but the print on the right pages were terrible and will give you headache when reading.

Maybe the printer failed on this particular copy.
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Marcello
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente!
Reviewed in Brazil on July 7, 2017
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Kerr realizou um trabalho monumental ao sintetizar algumas das principais ideias desenvolvidas por São Tomás de Aquino na Summa Theologica. Os capítulos com a biografia e a influência posterior do tomismo são muito interessantes (em particular, a influência sobre o pensamento escocês, que eu ignorava totalmente). A única queixa possível seria a de que muita coisa ficou de fora, mas sua abordagem da Summa é suficiente para tornar o livro recomendável, e os interessados devem procurar as obras de Gilson e Coppleston para se aprofundar - ou, então, aventurar-se nas Summas. A coleção A Very Short Introduction da Oxford faz-me lembrar da antiga coleção Primeiros Passos, com uma diferença essencial: Oxford procurou autores que realmente tentam informar e esclarecdr em vez de doutrinar.
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da q.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2016
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good one
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Renny Gye
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2016
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Excellent
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