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Author Topic: Question for Ladislaus  (Read 1030 times)

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Offline sram

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Question for Ladislaus
« on: August 16, 2022, 08:34:50 AM »
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  • Are there any books or lessons that are an introduction into Thomism / Thomistic Thinking (right words?)? Do you recommend anything that is sort of like a process that is basic to intermediate to advance for people who have no formal education in Thomism but want to learn it?


    Offline Mithrandylan

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #1 on: August 16, 2022, 09:40:29 AM »
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  • Not Ladislaus, but I would recommend a book like Mortimer Adler's Aristotle for Everybody as an introduction to Aristotelianism (Thomism is just Catholic Aristotelianism) and then follow that up with Ed Feser's book Aquinas. 

    These two books will help you understand the core concepts at work in Aristotelian-Thomism (AT) so that you are better equipped to understand what AT philosophers have to say. These books will also help walk you through the terminology of AT, which uses certain words in a very technical and specific way. I think learning the language of AT is probably the most important thing for students of philosophy. 

    Anyways, I think those two books will provide a great foundation and starting point. Then you might consider getting Gardeil's multi volume set which is a bit more advanced and covers St. Thomas's philosophy in much greater detail. But that (and many other Thomistic treatises that were in circulation in seminaries in the early-mid 20th century) is not an introduction and would be likely to confuse and frustrate if one hadn't already done the intro work. 
    "Be kind; do not seek the malicious satisfaction of having discovered an additional enemy to the Church... And, above all, be scrupulously truthful. To all, friends and foes alike, give that serious attention which does not misrepresent any opinion, does not distort any statement, does not mutilate any quotation. We need not fear to serve the cause of Christ less efficiently by putting on His spirit". (Vermeersch, 1913).


    Offline AMDGJMJ

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #2 on: August 16, 2022, 10:10:42 PM »
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  • Also not Laudislaus..

    But...

    Have you ever heard ever heard of the Catechism of the Summa? It was written by the great theologian Thomas Pegues.  We bought it recently and found it quite delightful.  It is a simple Q&A version of many of Saint Thomas' thoughts about different theological topics.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/on.com/gp//ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=on.com/gp/&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20
    "Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine!"

    http://whoshallfindavaliantwoman.blogspot.com/

    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #3 on: August 16, 2022, 11:02:48 PM »
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  • Are there any books or lessons that are an introduction into Thomism / Thomistic Thinking (right words?)? Do you recommend anything that is sort of like a process that is basic to intermediate to advance for people who have no formal education in Thomism but want to learn it?

    The Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas by Etienne Gilson is an excellent place to start.  It is one, modest volume.  I second Mithrandylan's suggestion of Aristotle for Everybody as an easily-digestible intro, perhaps followed by Gilson's work.  While it is hardly technical, GK Chesterton's biography of St. Thomas is immensely entertaining and educational.  I have read it several times and now own the audio book.  It never gets old.

    There are many excellent multi-volume sets, too.  I own two, one by H.D. Gardeil and the other by Henri Grenier.  Both are thorough and fantastic and can be easily found on Amazon or elsewhere.  Monsignor Paul J. Glenn also wrote an excellent series of books that were widely used in Catholic schools and seminaries, but only the Intro is easy to find now.  TAN still publishes it.
    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Online Ladislaus

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #4 on: August 17, 2022, 07:57:35 AM »
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  • I must apologize.  I could have sworn that I posted a response to your question.  I must have hallucinated it.

    I mostly used the typical seminary-style theology manuals in conjunction with the actual sources, but I have heard good things about some of the other works cited here.

    I think it's very important, if possible, to approach sacred theology in the same progression with which it is treated at seminary.  If you have time, start with a good book on scholastic logic, then move on to philosophy (cosmology, epistemology), and finally to sacred theology.  So a brief intro to Aristotle would be helpful.  I read Aristotle for Everybody as an undergraduate, going on 40 years ago now, and can't recall if I liked it or not.


    Offline Mithrandylan

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #5 on: August 17, 2022, 10:37:17 AM »
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  • The reason you need to start with Aristotle is that every description St. Thomas gives, and every argument he makes, presupposes that Aristotle's conception and philosophy of reality is correct. But if you're unacquainted with what that philosophy is, you won't get much out of St. Thomas. You won't understand his reasoning.

    The older seminary texts often assume that the student has already had philosophy and is already acquainted with Aristotle (a safe assumption when they were written, but not as safe any longer). This is why they aren't usually great places to start for 2022 trads.

    There are some introductions to St. Thomas that will treat Aristotle's philosophy up front, but they are usually more modern (which isn't necessarily bad, but something to be aware of). Ed Feser, who I recommend heartily, does a decent job of getting right to the Aristotelian stuff before trying to talk too much about Aquinas specifically. 

    The point is just that whatever material you choose to consult, make sure you are aware of the fact that understanding how Aquinas thinks depends on understanding how Aristotle thinks. And make sure the material you use grounds you in that way of thought before it gets too deep into the Thomistic weeds.
    "Be kind; do not seek the malicious satisfaction of having discovered an additional enemy to the Church... And, above all, be scrupulously truthful. To all, friends and foes alike, give that serious attention which does not misrepresent any opinion, does not distort any statement, does not mutilate any quotation. We need not fear to serve the cause of Christ less efficiently by putting on His spirit". (Vermeersch, 1913).

    Offline gladius_veritatis

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #6 on: August 17, 2022, 10:57:48 AM »
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  • Other slim-but-excellent volumes include:

    The Essence and Topicality of Thomism by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

    and

    Introduction to the Summa Theologiae of Thomas Aquinas by John of St. Thomas.
    "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man."

    Offline sram

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    Re: Question for Ladislaus
    « Reply #7 on: August 17, 2022, 12:16:37 PM »
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  • Thanks everyone. I will go by your recommendations.