Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. He is an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, within which he is also known as the "Doctor Angelicus" and "Doctor Communis." The son of a noble family from Aquino, Thomas was educated at the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino and later at the University of Naples. He is best known for his synthesis of Aristotle’s philosophy with the principles of Christianity, which he presented in his seminal work, the "Summa Theologica." This comprehensive compendium of theological thought is celebrated for its rigorous analysis of theological questions, and it became a key reference for Catholic theology in the following centuries. Aquinas's philosophical system, Thomism, has played a significant role in defining Catholic doctrine, particularly through its emphasis on reason and philosophy as important tools for understanding faith. He argued that reason and revelation are complementary rather than contradictory, and he worked to prove the rational basis for many Christian beliefs, such as the existence of God, which he famously outlined through five proofs or "ways." Aquinas also contributed to ethics, opposing both the Averroist view of the dissociation of faith and reason and certain Augustinian ideas that considered human nature after the Fall as utterly depraved. Advocating for the harmony between reason and faith, he contended that virtues could be divided into theological (faith, hope, and charity) and cardinal (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance). His influence extends into political theory, where he has addressed the nature of law and the relationship between individual rights and the common good. Although his work was initially met with some resistance, it was later embraced and has continued to be a substantial influence on both Christian philosophy and the broader western philosophical tradition. Aquinas was canonized in 1323, and his feast day is observed on January 28.