Learning the Basics of Catholic Philosophy

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I recently listened to a great talk delivered by my Bishop regarding Catholics’ civic responsibility. He made numerous references to Thomas Aquinas’ writings, normative truths (I may be mis-remembering this one), natural law, and other topics I’m very unclear on. He indicated people in the audience who had received a classic Catholic education through Catholic universities like the University of Dallas would likely better understand his talk.

My question: For someone who did not receive a classic Catholic education, where do you recommend I start to learn about Thomas Aquinas’ teachings (the Bishop says you can’t get more Catholic than Aquinas 🙂 ), Catholic philosophy, and Catholic moral theology?
 
TX_Catholic said:
I recently listened to a great talk delivered by my Bishop regarding Catholics’ civic responsibility. He made numerous references to Thomas Aquinas’ writings, normative truths (I may be mis-remembering this one), natural law, and other topics I’m very unclear on. He indicated people in the audience who had received a classic Catholic education through Catholic universities like the University of Dallas would likely better understand his talk.

My question: For someone who did not receive a classic Catholic education, where do you recommend I start to learn about Thomas Aquinas’ teachings (the Bishop says you can’t get more Catholic than Aquinas 🙂 ), Catholic philosophy, and Catholic moral theology?
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St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the most influential and greatest Catholic theologians and philosophers ever. His works have acted as fundamental mainstay in the education of our clergy, and a lot of what makes up modern Catholic thought has its root in Aquinas and those inspired by his teachings.

But it might be just a little over-anxious to claim that one “can’t get more Catholic than Aquinas” and that the Church has a definitive “classic” form of education that without one cannot fully appreciate a talk on Catholic civic responsibility. Not that Aquinas might not deserve such laudation, but we all have our favorites, and even bishops are not above gushing about one teacher over another.

That being said, a Catholic education today, whether limited to RCIA catechesis or full university training, will touch on Aquinas’ views sooner or later. Any Catholic would only benefit from reading his Summa Theologiae and the Summa contra Gentiles, though the second work should be approached with a view that it was dealing with apologetic arguments suitable for its time (and would not necessarily be applicable in all instances today).
 
If you’re not familiar with philosophy I would get a “for dummies” or “for begginers” manual on the topic. They take the time to explain the technical jargon and lay out ideas in more plain speaking
 
When I was an uncatechized but baptized Catholic, I tried to learn about philosophy. Naturally (being clueless), I checked out the more modern philosophers who seemed so far from reality that I abandoned my study of philosophy.

So my advice is to start with the ancient Greeks (Aristotle, Plato); then maybe check out the Early Church Fathers. I liked Intro to Phil by Sullivan even tho it’s a lot like a text book.

Also, Radio Replies online or in book form. Not formal philosophy, but very rigorous logic which will sharpen your mind as well as give you a sense of what one could call applied philosophy.
 
TX_Catholic said:
I recently listened to a great talk delivered by my Bishop regarding Catholics’ civic responsibility. He made numerous references to Thomas Aquinas’ writings, normative truths (I may be mis-remembering this one), natural law, and other topics I’m very unclear on. He indicated people in the audience who had received a classic Catholic education through Catholic universities like the University of Dallas would likely better understand his talk.

My question: For someone who did not receive a classic Catholic education, where do you recommend I start to learn about Thomas Aquinas’ teachings (the Bishop says you can’t get more Catholic than Aquinas 🙂 ), Catholic philosophy, and Catholic moral theology?
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You can read St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, with a guide:

readingthesumma.blogspot.com/2009/09/question-1-what-is-theology.html

newadvent.org/summa/

www3.nd.edu/~afreddos/summa-translation/TOC.htm
 
Also, there are terrific talks on philosophy here, you do have to sign up, but totally worth it!, again, early ones first so you can appreciate how the later ones really mangled stuff. Oddly enough, the ones by Robert Reilly give a lot of good background info (Unlawful Unions, Closing of Muslim Mind), as does the one about 10 points in politics.

Wins his and Marshner both focus on Phil, and they are very good!

All these are talks with both audio and video available of each ( with a delay of the audio for the very latest ones)
 
Theology for Beginners by F.J.Sheed and Theology and Sanity by F.J.Sheed, are based on the theology of St. Thomas.

I believe this would be the easiest way to start. These are two great books. Then if you would every want more, then these books would be the prep for further reading of St. Thomas.

“When You said, ‘Seek My face’, my heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.’” Psalm 26
 
If you are looking for an excellent resource for self-directed study of the elements of philosophy that classically a student of theology would have been responsible for knowing before embarking on his theology studies, the book I always used for my English language students was authored by Father William Wallace, OP. It is splendid.

The Elements of Philosophy: A Compendium for Philosophers and Theologians.

I understand it has been updated, as it is keyed to the Catholic Encyclopedia for which there is a relatively new edition. Encyclopedia articles referenced by Father Wallace greatly fill out and expand the book’s treatment of the various points.
 
All,

Thank you for pointing me in to several great resources! I will start with the Summa and the associated guide.
 
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