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Title: Guide to Thomas Aquinas by Josef Pieper ISBN: 0-89870-319-0 Publisher: Ignatius Press Pub. Date: June, 1991 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.25 (4 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A Worthy Study
Comment: This book is one of the essential studies of St. Thomas's life and thought. It is especially valuable because it preserves some of the profound insights of two other Thomists whose books have either never been translated into English (Grabmann) or are, alas, out-of-print (Chenu). Pieper's treatment of St. Thomas's (and Aristotle's) use of language is absolutely essential reading for beginning students of Aquinas who have not read the more thorough treatments (by Chenu and Blanche - now largely forgotten) upon which it is based. Pieper also captures better than most biographers the importance of Thomas's decision to embrace both of the apparently opposed movements of his day, the back-to-the-Bible movement of the mendicant orders and, the modern, scientific movement of Aristotelianism.
There are a few points on which I think Pieper is wrong, most importantly on the question of Thomas's "Aristotelianism." In his justifiable attempt to show that Thomas is not an unqualified Aristotelian, Pieper goes too far the other direction and leaves the reader with the impression that Thomas was a defender of Plato. Especially troubling is Pieper's citation of passages from Thomas's Commentaries on Aristotle's De Anima and Metaphysics, which he, Pieper, claims defend Plato against Aristotle's criticisms: I cannot figure out how Pieper could construe the cited passages in such a way. Also, Pieper's criticism of the Inquistion, the Dominican order's role in it, and Thomas's defense of it seems surprisingly naive coming from an author steeped in the history of the Church. But these are relatively minor flaws in an otherwise worthy study of St. Thomas.
My rating of other books on St. Thomas: (1) Josef Pieper, The Silence of St. Thomas. ***** One of the very best books on St. Thomas Aquinas; see my ... review. (2) G.K. Chesterton, St. Thomas Aquinas: the Dumb Ox. ***** A justly acclaimed popular account of the life and work of St. Thomas; a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience for student and general reader alike. (3) Marie-Dominique Chenu O.P., Toward Understanding St. Thomas. ***** THE indispensible work for every serious student; sadly, out-of-print. (4) Ralph McInerny, St. Thomas Aquinas. **** A scholarly introduction to Thomas's philosophical thought, which emphasizes Aquinas's indebteness to Aristotle and Boethius. (5) Jean-Pierre Torrell O.P., St. Thomas Aquinas: the Person and his Work. **** Currently the standard scholarly biography.
Rating: 5
Summary: Pieper's Preface
Comment: I have read this book twice and gained valuable information both times. After Chesterton's "Saint Thomas Aquinas," this is by far the best introduction to Thomas Aquinas. I highly recommend it.
Yet, whatever I could say about this book, Pieper himself already has said it in the preface, where he outlined the purpose and goal of his book. So, I'll let you read Pieper instead of me:
"This book is closer to the spoken than to the written language. It is based on a series of university lectures given before collective student bodies. Its purpose and scope are precisely what the title suggests: to serve as a guide and introduction. It is intended neither as a detailed biography of Thomas nor as a systematic and comprehensive interpretation of his doctrines. Not is it meant to be an original contribution to the historical study of medieval philosophy. Everyone acquainted with the field will see at once to what degree my account is based, far beyond the specific quotation, on the works of Marie-Dominique Chenu, Etienne Gilson, Fernand van Steenberghen, and others.
"The purpose of these lectures is to sketch, against the background of his times and his life, a portrait of Thomas Aquinas as he truly concerns philosophical-minded persons today, not merely as a historical personage but as a thinker who has something to say to our own era. I earnestly hope that the speculative attitude which was Thomas' most salient trait as Christianity's "universal teacher" will emerge clearly and sharply from my exposition. It is to this end alone, I repeat, that I present the following chapters, and it is this aspect for which I accept full responsibility."
Rating: 4
Summary: Good book, a bit tough, though.
Comment: This is a very difficult book that will help you to understand St Thomas philosophy. It turns very slow, sometimes.
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Title: The Silence of St. Thomas: Three Essays by Josef Pieper, John Murray, Daniel O'Connor ISBN: 1890318787 Publisher: Saint Augustine's Pr Pub. Date: April, 1999 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: Happiness and Contemplation by Josef Pieper, Ralph M. McInerny, Richard Winston ISBN: 1890318310 Publisher: Saint Augustine's Pr Pub. Date: October, 1998 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: Death and Immortality by Josef Pieper, Richard Winston, Clara Winston ISBN: 1890318183 Publisher: Saint Augustine's Pr Pub. Date: March, 2000 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: Four Cardinal Virtues by Josef Pieper ISBN: 0268001030 Publisher: Univ of Notre Dame Pr Pub. Date: December, 1966 List Price(USD): $10.50 |
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Title: Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper, Roger Scruton, Gerald Malsbary ISBN: 1890318353 Publisher: Saint Augustine's Pr Pub. Date: October, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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