St Thomas Aquinas, also known as the "Angelic Doctor", is one of the most important figures in Christian theology and philosophy. Born in 1225 in the county of Aquino, in what is now Italy, he left his mark on the history of Western thought through his writings, his wisdom and his lasting influence on the Catholic Church and philosophy in general.
A life devoted to God and the search for truth
1. Origins and youth
Thomas was born into a noble family at the castle of Roccasecca, near Naples. From an early age, he showed an inquisitive mind and a deep attachment to the Christian faith. At the age of five, he was sent to the Benedictine abbey of Monte Cassino, where he received a high-quality education. His parents hoped he would become abbot of Monte Cassino, a prestigious position, but Thomas chose a different path.
At the age of 19, against his family's wishes, he entered the Dominican order, a mendicant order that focused on teaching and preaching. His family tried to dissuade him, going so far as to lock him up for a year, but Thomas remained firm in his vocation. Finally released, he continued his studies in Naples, Cologne and Paris.
2. Studies and academic career
Under the tutelage of the famous philosopher and theologian Albert the Great, Thomas developed a particular interest in Aristotelian philosophy. At a time when Aristotle's ideas provoked distrust and debate in the Church, Thomas set out to reconcile them with Christian theology.
He taught in Paris, Rome and other major European universities, earning a reputation as an outstanding teacher. His humility, piety and intellectual rigour impressed those who met him. He devoted his life to writing, producing a colossal body of work despite his premature death in 1274, aged just 49.
The major works of Thomas Aquinas
1. The "Summa Theologica"
The Summa Theologica is Thomas's best-known and most monumental work. It is divided into three main parts:
The first part deals with God, creation and angels.
The second part examines human actions, virtues and laws, offering a detailed analysis of Christian ethics.
The third part is devoted to Christ, the sacraments and the ultimate end of man.
In this work, Thomas attempts to answer fundamental questions about faith and reason, using a dialectical method. Each question is presented in the form of objections, followed by a rigorous answer, and then a refutation of the objections. This effort to structure and clarify theological thought remains an invaluable contribution.
2. The "Summa against the Gentiles"
This work aims to present the truths of the Christian faith to non-believers, including Muslims and Jews. Thomas uses universal philosophical arguments to demonstrate the existence of God, creation and other fundamental truths, before drawing on Revelation to address the mysteries specific to the Christian faith.
3. Commentaries on Aristotle and the Bible
Thomas also wrote extensive commentaries on the works of Aristotle, the Gospels and the epistles of Paul. These commentaries testify to his ability to integrate ancient philosophical ideas with Christian thought.
The thought of Thomas Aquinas
1. Faith and reason
Thomas Aquinas is famous for defending the idea that faith and reason are not opposed, but complement each other. He argued that human reason, though imperfect, can arrive at certain fundamental truths about God, such as His existence, through observation and reflection. However, revealed truths, such as the Trinity or the Incarnation, are beyond the capacity of human reason and require faith.
2. Proofs for the existence of God
Thomas formulated the "five ways" to demonstrate the existence of God:
Motion: Everything that is in motion must be set in motion by something else, and there must be a "First Immovable Mover", which is God.
First Cause: Every effect has a cause, and there must be a "First Cause", which is God.
Contingency : Things in the world exist contingently, but there must be a necessary being, God, at the origin of everything.
Degrees of perfection : The various degrees of perfection observed in the world point to a perfectly perfect being, God.
Finality : Order and finality in nature point to the existence of an intelligent being who guides everything, God.
3. Morality and virtue
Thomas's moral thought is based on the idea that man is called to seek his ultimate happiness in God. He distinguishes between the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) and the cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and stresses the importance of divine grace in attaining moral perfection.
The legacy of Thomas Aquinas
St Thomas Aquinas was canonised in 1323 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1567. His thought had a profound influence on the Catholic Church, particularly during the Council of Trent (1545-1563) and the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). He is also considered one of the greatest philosophers in history, his work having left its mark on thinkers such as René Descartes, Étienne Gilson and Jacques Maritain.
The Church celebrates his feast day on 28 January, the anniversary of the transfer of his relics to Toulouse. Today, he remains a major figure in theological teaching, and his writings continue to be studied in seminaries and universities.
Conclusion: A model of faith and reason
St Thomas Aquinas embodies the tireless search for truth, guided by a deep faith and a rigorous mind. Through his ability to reconcile faith and reason, theology and philosophy, he offered the Church and the world a harmonious vision of human and divine knowledge. His example invites us to never stop searching, to deepen our faith and to recognise that all our reflections should lead us to love God and our neighbour more.
