Summa Theologiae
This vast inquiry, arranged in questions and articles, examines God, creation, human action and Christ. It stages objections and replies within a carefully structured teaching format.
Understanding the text
Written for Dominican instruction between 1265 and 1274, the Summa remained unfinished; the Supplement was assembled after Thomas’s death from other writings.
Key points
- 01
Objections
Every article opens with opposing arguments that must be understood before the master’s response.
- 02
Law and virtue
Human flourishing involves habits and laws ordered to the common good, not merely a list of prohibitions.
- 03
Reason and faith
Philosophical reason has its own reach, while theology also examines matters belonging to revelation.
Explore the ideas in depth
Read a question in the Summa
This vast inquiry, arranged in questions and articles, examines God, creation, human action and Christ. It stages objections and replies within a carefully structured teaching format.
Objections
Every article opens with opposing arguments that must be understood before the master’s response. Written for Dominican instruction between 1265 and 1274, the Summa remained unfinished; the Supplement was assembled after Thomas’s death from other writings.
Law and virtue
Human flourishing involves habits and laws ordered to the common good, not merely a list of prohibitions. Read a whole article with objections and replies, and distinguish the third part from the posthumous Supplement.
Reason and faith
Philosophical reason has its own reach, while theology also examines matters belonging to revelation. This vast inquiry, arranged in questions and articles, examines God, creation, human action and Christ. It stages objections and replies within a carefully structured teaching format.
Questions to carry into your reading
- Which objection best tests your first answer?
- What changes when you follow the replies to each objection?
Read a whole article with objections and replies, and distinguish the third part from the posthumous Supplement.
How to read it
Read a whole article with objections and replies, and distinguish the third part from the posthumous Supplement.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗