Springer Aquinas’s Philosophical Commentary on the Ethics: A Historical Perspective: 50 (The New Synthese Historical Library, 50)

Is Aquinas's Sententia libri Ethicorum an interpretation of Aristotle based on `principles of Christian ethics'? Or do we have in that work a presentation of the foundation of Aquinas's moral philosophy? Professor Doig answers these questions through an examination of the historical context within which the Sententia was composed. In Chapters 1-2, the work's role as a corrective of earlier commentaries is established. Chapter 3, by examining philosophy at Paris between 1215 and 1283, reveals that the proposal by Aquinas of a moral philosophy would have been unexceptional. Chapter 4's investigation of the principles underlying the moral theory of the Sententia makes apparent that they were regarded by Aquinas as both philosophical and Aristotelian. The date to be assigned the composition of the Sententia is studied in Chapter 5, and the conclusion is drawn, that with some probability, the Sententia is its author's final proposal of moral doctrines. The closing Chapter offers a summary of that moral philosophy against the historical background brought out earlier. Review `Door gedetailleerde argumentatie en grondig historisch onderzoek weet de auteur zijn these kracht bij te zetten. Op een moeilijk te weerleggen wijze toont hij aan dat de mogelijkheid van een wijsgerige ethiek bij Thomas niet alleen historisch belang heeft voor de interpretatie van Thomas maar tevens strookt met diens systeem. Daardoor kan deze studie ook voor een hedendaagse problematiek vruchtbaar worden gemaakt. ' ["The author offers a cogent thesis based on detailed argumentation and thorough historical research. In a manner that is difficult to disprove, he shows that the possibility of philosophical ethics on the part of Thomas is not only of historical importance for the interpretation of Thomas, but is also consistent with Thomas' system. Therefore, this study could prove useful in dealing with present-day problems."] Tijdschrift voor Filosofie, 2003:2