Summa Theologica

Definition

The Summa Theologica is a comprehensive work of Christian theology written by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. It aims to systematically present the principles of Christian belief, addressing various topics such as God, morality, and human nature through a structured question-and-answer format. This text is foundational in scholastic theology and philosophy, influencing both religious and secular thought throughout history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Summa Theologica is divided into three main parts: the first discusses God and creation, the second focuses on human actions and morality, and the third addresses Christ and the sacraments.
2. Aquinas employs a unique method in the Summa where he poses questions, offers objections, provides counterarguments, and ultimately presents his own answers.
3. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Summa Theologica to aid students in understanding Christian doctrine and to serve as a reference for theologians.
4. The work combines Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, creating a synthesis that has had lasting impacts on Western thought.
5. The Summa Theologica was never finished by Aquinas; he intended to write a fourth part but passed away before completing it, leaving a profound legacy nonetheless.

Review Questions

• How does St. Thomas Aquinas structure the arguments in the Summa Theologica to enhance understanding of Christian doctrine?
  • In the Summa Theologica, Aquinas employs a systematic structure by posing theological questions followed by objections that represent various viewpoints. He then offers his counterarguments and finally presents his own conclusions. This method not only clarifies complex ideas but also invites critical thinking, allowing readers to engage with multiple perspectives before arriving at Aquinas' reasoned answers. This approach exemplifies the scholastic method, making theology accessible to students and scholars alike.
• Discuss the significance of Natural Law in the context of Aquinas' overall theological framework presented in the Summa Theologica.
  • Natural Law is significant within Aquinas' theological framework as it represents his view that moral principles are inherent in human nature and can be understood through reason. In the Summa Theologica, Aquinas argues that these natural laws guide human behavior towards good actions, aligning with divine law. This connection between reason and morality allows for a harmonious understanding of ethics that transcends purely religious doctrine, thus influencing both theology and philosophy in subsequent centuries.
• Evaluate how the Summa Theologica reflects the synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology, and its impact on later philosophical thought.
  • The Summa Theologica exemplifies St. Thomas Aquinas' synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology by incorporating rational argumentation to explain faith-based beliefs. By using Aristotelian concepts such as causality and potentiality, Aquinas provides logical frameworks for understanding God, creation, and morality. This integration laid foundational principles for later philosophical thought, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods when scholars sought to reconcile faith with reason, thus shaping modern philosophical inquiry.

Related terms

Scholasticism: A method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics ('schoolmen') of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100 to 1700, emphasizing dialectical reasoning to extend knowledge.

Natural Law:

A moral theory that posits that human beings possess intrinsic values that govern their reasoning and behavior, which can be understood through human reason and is a central theme in Aquinas' work.

Aquinas' Five Ways: Five arguments formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas to demonstrate the existence of God, presented in the Summa Theologica as part of his larger theological framework.