Aquinas question

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ejgorham

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Is there an accurate translation of the Summa Theologica in contemporary English (i.e. more recent than the classic five volume set that has been on library shelves from time immemorial)? Sometimes the antiquated English makes reading more difficult than it needs to be. Also, is it best to read it for the first time start to finish, or in sections or in some particular order? Thanks for any advice.
 
The second question is a personal choice.

What I found helpful was to read the parts on the human soul.

For my understanding it was of great value.

He seems to make a structure there: intellect, will (rational appetite), active intellect, passions, common (physical) sense, imagination, cogitative power, and so forth.

It helped me to see clearly the two spiritual parts of the soul-intellect and will, and the physical parts of the soul.

He builds the rest of the Summa around the human soul’s parts or powers.

Blessings,

Jim Baur
 
New Advent has an English translation, but I’m not sure if it’s contemporary or the harder English that you’re trying to avoid (I find it pretty easy going, but I’m not most people).

The link is here: newadvent.org/summa/

I hope this helps,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
 
ejgorham said:
Is there an accurate translation of the Summa Theologica in contemporary English (i.e. more recent than the classic five volume set that has been on library shelves from time immemorial)? Sometimes the antiquated English makes reading more difficult than it needs to be. Also, is it best to read it for the first time start to finish, or in sections or in some particular order? Thanks for any advice.
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The Englist is not antiquated, it is precise and technical. Avoid any author who claims to make it " meaningful " to the modern mind - avoid him like the plague. Learn the language.

The short answer is no. To make sure you are getting the correct English equivalent is to learn enough Latin to understand the grammer and keep a Dictionary of St. Thomas by your side and also the White Classical Latin dictionary. It is best to start with Part 1 of the S.T… I would prefer you start with Aquinas by Dr. Edward Feser and get his new book coming out in March,

by Dr. Edward Feser

List Price: $24.95

ISBN: 978-3-86838-544-1
Pages: 398
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: 05-31-2014

Editorial Reviews|Customer Reviews

Description
Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction provides an overview of Scholastic approaches to causation, substance, essence, modality, identity, persistence, teleology, and other issues in fundamental metaphysics. The book interacts heavily with the literature on these issues in contemporary analytic metaphysics, so as to facilitate the analytic reader’s understanding of Scholastic ideas and the Scholastic reader’s understanding of contemporary analytic philosophy. The Aristotelian theory of actuality and potentiality provides the organizing theme, and the crucial dependence of Scholastic metaphysics on this theory is demonstrated. The book is written from a Thomistic point of view, but Scotist and Suarezian positions are treated as well where they diverge from the Thomistic position.

Edward Feser (Author)

Edward Feser is associate professor of philosophy at Pasadena City College. His most recent books include Aquinas and The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism.

Then read his blog religiously. There Is No Short Cut to Philosophy. For the average person who is able to grasp the concepts, it is a life time project.

Linus2nd
 
For what it’s worth, I’ve always found the *Summa contra Gentiles *more readable (and more interesting) than the Summa Theologica. 👍
 
I like Linusthe2nd’s advice. The language isn’t really what is difficult about Aquinas. It seems that you need to have some background in Scholastic and Aristotelian metaphysics before reading Aquinas directly or you won’t know what he’s talking about. Prof. Feser is an excellent resource for getting into Aquinas’ way of thinking.

When you are ready to read Aquinas, I would suggest reading Peter Kreeft’s A Summa of the Summa. This book has the actual words of Aquinas himself, but is footnoted by Prof. Kreeft so it is easier to understand the more technical passages. It’s 500 pages long so it is cut down to the essential passages (at least what Prof. Kreeft considers essential), but the whole Summa Theologica is available online for your reading pleasure when you want more. I’ve been reading this book and it is very, very helpful in my opinion.
 
I would second what Linus and balto said.

The English is current, but what you are reading is a highly technical paper that uses very precise terminology.

It is kind of like picking up a Ph.D dissertation, until you get some background on the topic and terms of the field, it probably won’t give you the insights that it would to someone who is versed in topic.
 
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