This course will be a general introduction to Aquinas's philosophical thinking. We shall pay
special attention to his philosophy of God. We shall also look at what he says about questions
such as the scope of human knowledge, the nature of the human being, and the nature and
significance of human action.
As well as being expository, the course will consider the cogency of Aquinas's positions on
various topics. It will also try to relate what Aquinas says to what other philosophers, especially
modern and contemporary ones, have had to say.
The course will not presuppose any previous knowledge of Aquinas on the part of students.
Course Requirements
1. Attendance at all classes
2. One end of term paper (6000-8000 words)
Required Texts
1. Brian Davies, The Thought of Thomas Aquinas (Oxford University Press, 1992)
2. Timothy McDermott (ed.), Aquinas: Selected Philosophical Writings (Oxford University
Press, 1993)
