The Philosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas

"Thomas Aquinas was a theologian who used philosophy to lead us step by step from familiar truths to unfamiliar wisdom, from what natural reason can know to the divine things it cannot. To follow his lead, we need to know something about the philosophy he finds useful, something about its object, principles, concepts, and limits. Stephen Brock's book is a splendid sketch of the metaphysics Thomas uses in the service of theology. It's the best we have."

--John Bowlin, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ



"Thomism offers a profound and realistic interpretation of the world, but it is difficult to understand the philosophy of Aquinas on one's own. Brock has given us a splendid overview of Aquinas' deepest principles: nature, matter, the soul, existence and essence, God and the sources of moral agency. His exposition is clear, comprehensive . . . subtle and insightful . . . The book is both magistral in scope and offers incisive and trenchant interpretations on controversial issues. This is one of the best overviews of Aquinas' philosophy available."

--Thomas Joseph White, OP, Thomistic Institute, Washington, DC



"Brock promises 'to take the reader by the hand' on a journey into Aquinas' philosophical thought, and his book delivers. Never skimping on subtleties, the book always firmly holds on to the basics. All in all, this is a great 'first book' on Aquinas, which definitely makes sure that for its careful reader it will not be the last."

--Gyula Klima, Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, New York, NY