Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas (Italian: Tommaso d'Aquino; 1225 – March 7, 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, priest and philosopher of the Scholastic tradition. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the Middle Ages. Thomas was a prominent proponent of natural theology and the founder of a philosophical and theological school known as Thomism. He argued that God is the source of natural reason and faith.

He is described as "the most influential thinker of the Middle Ages" and "the greatest of the Scholastic philosophers". His ideas combined those of Aristotle with Christian doctrine, attempting to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. In Catholic theology, he was known as Doctor Angelicus ("Sovereign Doctor") and Doctor Communis ("Common Doctor"). In 1999, Pope John Paul II added a new title: Doctor Humanitatis ("Doctor of Humanity").

Thomas Aquinas was a great scholar and synthesizer. Professor Denning considered him the greatest of all scholastic philosophers. He reconciled the ideas of Aristotle and Augustine with those of other theologians and commentators. According to M.B. Foster, he was the most systematic thinker in world history.

Life

Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225 AD in Naples, Italy. His father was Count Landulf of Aquino, and his mother was Theodora. Thomas's childhood was marked by luxury and privilege. His parents wanted him to become a high-ranking official, so they sent him to the Abbey of Monte Cassino at the age of five for education.

He later studied in Naples but his spiritual inclinations led him to join the Dominican Order in 1244 AD. Despite his parents' attempts to dissuade him, Thomas remained committed to his faith and went to Paris to study theology under Albert the Great. He then became a teacher and lecturer at various institutions in Italy.

During this time, he wrote commentaries on Aristotle's works, particularly on logic and metaphysics. However, since the University of Paris did not award degrees to monks, Thomas was awarded a doctorate by Pope Urban IV in 1266 AD.