Title
Praeambula Fidei: Thomism and the God of the Philosophers - Paperback
by Ralph McInerny (Author)
WINNER OF THE 2007 CHARLES CARDINAL JOURNET PRIZE awarded by The Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal at Ave Maria University
The praeambula fidei ("preambles of faith") are regarded by Thomas Aquinas as the culmination of philosophy: natural theology, the highest knowledge of God that is possible on philosophical grounds alone. The natural home for such considerations is the Metaphysics of Aristotle and Thomas's commentary on that work. Yet Thomas's view has been cast into doubt, with philosophers and theologians alike attempting to drive a wedge between Aquinas and Aristotle. In this book, renowned philosopher Ralph McInerny sets out to review what Thomas meant by the phrase and to defend a robust understanding of Thomas's teaching on the subject.
After setting forth different attitudes toward proofs of God's existence and outlining the difference between belief and knowledge, McInerny examines the texts in which Thomas uses and explains the phrase "preambles of faith." He then turns his attention to the work of eminent twentieth-century Thomists and chronicles their abandonment of the preambles. He draws a contrast between this form of Thomism and that of the classical Dominican commentators, notably Cajetan, arguing that part of the abandonment of the notion of the preambles as philosophical involves a misreading and misrepresentation of Cajetan.
McInerny concludes with a positive rereading of Aristotle's Metaphysics and Aquinas's use thereof. In the end, the book argues for a return to the notion of Aristotelico-Thomism--Thomistic philosophy as the organic development of the thought of Aristotle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ralph McInerny is Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies in the department of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. He is cofounder of Crisis magazine and author of several books published by CUA Press, namely, the bestselling Ethica Thomistica, The Question of Christian Ethics, Aquinas on Human Action, and Boethius and Aquinas.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"When it comes to defending Thomism, McInerny, long-time distinguished professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, is without peer. . . . [McInerny] provides a keen exposition of the most contentious discussions that, during the twentieth century, pitted students of Thomas Aquinas one against the other. Ralph McInerny writes with both precision and the novelist's flair. . . . The book should be required reading for all Catholic seminarians, graduate students of theology, and anyone who wants to understand better the merits of Thomism, both Renaissance and contemporary."--Romanus Cessario, First Things
"Both believers and non-believers who think that modernity needs to be tempered by antiquity's wisdom will sympathize."--Douglas Kries, Claremont Review of Books
"McInerny's book is a powerful and controversial restatement of a classical Thomistic doctrine concerning the relations between faith and reason, philosophy and theology. . . . In our metaphysical tone-deaf age, the book reopens important discussions on the topic of fundamental theology, and ought to be read by all those seriously interested in the renewal of genuine ontological reflection within Christian theology."--Thomas Joseph White, O.P., The Thomist
"[McInerny] provides a full review, with supporting documentation, of Aristotle's vital contribution to the Thomistic development of natural theology, and with it, a respectful demonstration why scholars who have held an opposing view are mistaken."--The Maritain Notebook
"McInerny has produced a work that rightly clarifies the obligation of Christian theologians and philosophers to reflect on the natural truths that are preambles to the faith. It further reminds us of the all too human foibles that can taint otherwise precious cont
by Ralph McInerny (Author)
WINNER OF THE 2007 CHARLES CARDINAL JOURNET PRIZE awarded by The Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal at Ave Maria University
The praeambula fidei ("preambles of faith") are regarded by Thomas Aquinas as the culmination of philosophy: natural theology, the highest knowledge of God that is possible on philosophical grounds alone. The natural home for such considerations is the Metaphysics of Aristotle and Thomas's commentary on that work. Yet Thomas's view has been cast into doubt, with philosophers and theologians alike attempting to drive a wedge between Aquinas and Aristotle. In this book, renowned philosopher Ralph McInerny sets out to review what Thomas meant by the phrase and to defend a robust understanding of Thomas's teaching on the subject.
After setting forth different attitudes toward proofs of God's existence and outlining the difference between belief and knowledge, McInerny examines the texts in which Thomas uses and explains the phrase "preambles of faith." He then turns his attention to the work of eminent twentieth-century Thomists and chronicles their abandonment of the preambles. He draws a contrast between this form of Thomism and that of the classical Dominican commentators, notably Cajetan, arguing that part of the abandonment of the notion of the preambles as philosophical involves a misreading and misrepresentation of Cajetan.
McInerny concludes with a positive rereading of Aristotle's Metaphysics and Aquinas's use thereof. In the end, the book argues for a return to the notion of Aristotelico-Thomism--Thomistic philosophy as the organic development of the thought of Aristotle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ralph McInerny is Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies in the department of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. He is cofounder of Crisis magazine and author of several books published by CUA Press, namely, the bestselling Ethica Thomistica, The Question of Christian Ethics, Aquinas on Human Action, and Boethius and Aquinas.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"When it comes to defending Thomism, McInerny, long-time distinguished professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, is without peer. . . . [McInerny] provides a keen exposition of the most contentious discussions that, during the twentieth century, pitted students of Thomas Aquinas one against the other. Ralph McInerny writes with both precision and the novelist's flair. . . . The book should be required reading for all Catholic seminarians, graduate students of theology, and anyone who wants to understand better the merits of Thomism, both Renaissance and contemporary."--Romanus Cessario, First Things
"Both believers and non-believers who think that modernity needs to be tempered by antiquity's wisdom will sympathize."--Douglas Kries, Claremont Review of Books
"McInerny's book is a powerful and controversial restatement of a classical Thomistic doctrine concerning the relations between faith and reason, philosophy and theology. . . . In our metaphysical tone-deaf age, the book reopens important discussions on the topic of fundamental theology, and ought to be read by all those seriously interested in the renewal of genuine ontological reflection within Christian theology."--Thomas Joseph White, O.P., The Thomist
"[McInerny] provides a full review, with supporting documentation, of Aristotle's vital contribution to the Thomistic development of natural theology, and with it, a respectful demonstration why scholars who have held an opposing view are mistaken."--The Maritain Notebook
"McInerny has produced a work that rightly clarifies the obligation of Christian theologians and philosophers to reflect on the natural truths that are preambles to the faith. It further reminds us of the all too human foibles that can taint otherwise precious cont
At Welibooks, we offer new, used, and collectible
books. Each title is carefully graded, and its condition is clearly listed
to ensure transparency and credibility—especially for used, collectible, rare,
and out-of-print books.
We encourage customers to read the book description
carefully to ensure the selected item meets their expectations. For detailed
information on how we grade our books, please click here. To better
understand common book-collecting terminology, visit our Glossary of Book
Terms here.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We deliver your parcel within 2–3 working days. As soon as your package has left our warehouse, you will receive a confirmation by email. This confirmation contains a tracking number that you can use to find out where your package is.
Returns
We offer free returns within 30 days. All you have to do is fill out the return slip that you received in your package and stick the prepaid label on the package.Please note that it can take 2 weeks for us to process your return. We will do our best to complete this process as soon as possible.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We deliver your parcel within 2–3 working days. As soon as your package has left our warehouse, you will receive a confirmation by email. This confirmation contains a tracking number that you can use to find out where your package is.
Returns
We offer free returns within 30 days. All you have to do is fill out the return slip that you received in your package and stick the prepaid label on the package.Please note that it can take 2 weeks for us to process your return. We will do our best to complete this process as soon as possible.
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Diners Club, Discover and more.
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Diners Club, Discover and more.