Summa Theologica

Outline

Summa Theologica (1265–1274) is the best-known work of Thomas Aquinas and one of the most influential texts of medieval philosophy and Christian theology. Written as an orderly series of questions, objections, and replies, it addresses the existence and nature of God, ethics, human nature, law, and virtue. Aquinas drew heavily on Aristotle and on Muslim philosophers such as Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd, and left the work unfinished at his death.

• Summa Theologica, written between 1265 and 1274, is Thomas Aquinas's best-known work and a landmark of medieval philosophy and Christian theology.
• The book is built as an orderly series of questions, objections, and replies, so every argument is tested against its strongest counterpoints.
• It covers the existence and nature of God, ethics, human nature, law, and virtue within one connected framework.
• Aquinas drew heavily on Aristotle and on Muslim philosophers such as Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd.
• Aquinas left the work unfinished when he died.

Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian. He sought to show that reason and faith work together, and his ideas became central to Catholic thought. His other major works include the Summa contra Gentiles.