Thomas Aquinas: Philosophy in an Hour

Philosophy for busy people. Read a succinct account of the philosophy of Aquinas in just one hour.

Thomas Aquinas remains the unacknowledged maestro of Scholasticism – the static, cumulative philosophy of the medieval period. More a method of learning than pure theology, Aquinas’ Scholasticism saw the careful synthesis of Christian doctrine with Greek rationalism – an amalgamation that came to define Catholic philosophy. Aquinas’ influence stretches far across the western world; much modern philosophy has been conceived as either a reaction against, or in accordance with, his original ideas.

Here is a concise, expert account of Thomas Aquinas’s life and philosophical ideas – entertainingly written and easy to understand. Also included are selections from Thomas Aquinas’s work, suggested further reading, and chronologies that place Aquinas in the context of the broader scheme of philosophy.

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About the author

Paul Strathern has lectured in philosophy and mathematics and now lives and writes in London. A Somerset Maugham prize winner, he is also the author of books on history and travel as well as five novels. His articles have appeared in a great many publications including the Observer (London) and the Irish Times. His own degree in philosophy was earned at Trinity College, Dublin.