Romanus Cessario

This concise book is three chapters (essays, Cessario calls them) and a conclusion which offers a clear summary of Thomism and begins with a biography of Thomas himself. An evaluation of whether adherence to a pristine set of central principles of philosophy and theology that Thomas pioneered is enough or if modern "eclectic" Thomism is a better way describe the movements of interpretations of Thomas. Cessario says that his work adopts Garrigiou-Lagrange's perspective that Thomism is best show more viewed as a continuum of intellectual achievement within the Western theological tradition. Thomism then is a "continuous history from 1274 to the present" makes no claim about value of scholars within the chronology but that Thomism represents the only approved theology recognized by the Christian Church. Thomism spread to the New World via the Spanish Dominicans at Manila. The Spanish Golden Age is described as the height of Dominican John of St Thomas (John Poinsot) who taught logic and natural philosophy. No mention is made of St John of the Cross the Carmelite who also lived during the Spanish Golden Age and his work using his own Thomistic education and systematic approach. John of the Cross is credited by historian Jordan Aumann as being more influenced by John Tauler, Bernard, and the Victorines. There is much to like in this brief book for the student of Thomas Aquinas, although it does require some background in European religious history.
106 pages, Index. show less

A high-level development of Catholic moral thinking in line with Veritatis Splendor. Original edition appeared in 2001.

to develop common framework