This compact collection of philosophical texts from the Summa Theologica --on God, creation, the soul, human acts, moral good and evil, love, habits, virtue, and law--is presented newly translated in abridged form and cast in a modified version of the medieval quaestio . Included are only the most important objections and Aquinas' replies; appeals to scriptural, theological, and philosophical authorities have been omitted. Unlike the ordering of the originals, questions and answers are here presented prior to objections and replies; the result is a sharp, rich, topically organized question-answer presentation of Aquinas' major philosophical arguments within a brief compass. A general Introduction, headnotes, a glossary, an index, and a select bibliography offer expert guidance to the work of this major philosopher.
Richard J. Regan is Professor of Political Science, Fordham University.
"Those approaching Aquinas from the side of philosophy, and for the first time, have been done a great service by Richard Regan's selective translation of the first part (prima pars) and the first part of the second part (prima secundae) of the Summa Theologiae. By focusing on the questions raised and answers given by Aquinas (and including only the most salient objections and replies), Regan reveals Thomas as a great dialectician, grappling with issues of perennial philosophical interest. Regan's general introduction and chapter introductions together enable the reader to see the point and power of Aquinas' discussions." -- John Haldane, University of St Andrews.
Those who want to approach [the Summa Theologiae] in English cannot do better than study Regan's volume. It will provide them with a solid and reliable basis from which to take their studies of Aquinas further. . . . Regan's translations are always accurate. . . . And, in producing them, he has managed to deliver texts written in elegant, intelligible, and idiomatic English. --Brian Davies, International Philosophical Quarterly
For . . . introducing undergraduates to Aquinas' philosophy, this is a good text and should prove a useful addition to an undergraduate library. --Vivian Boland, Theological Book Review
