Surreal illustration of an open book revealing a cityscape, symbolizing the timeless wisdom of Aquinas.

Unlocking Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide to His Enduring Wisdom

Soraya Malik in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Is Thomas Aquinas relevant today? Explore a new brief history that makes his complex ideas accessible for modern readers."

Thomas Aquinas, a towering figure in philosophy and theology, often seems daunting to modern readers. His works, filled with intricate arguments and technical terms, can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with medieval thought. However, his ideas continue to resonate, offering valuable insights into ethics, metaphysics, and the nature of existence.

Brian Davies' "Thomas Aquinas: A Very Brief History" aims to bridge this gap. The book strives to make Aquinas accessible to newcomers, presenting his key concepts in a clear and concise manner. It seeks to provide a foundation for understanding Aquinas without requiring prior knowledge of medieval philosophy or academic theology.

This article delves into Davies' approach, examining how he tackles the challenges of presenting complex ideas in an accessible format. We'll explore his strategies for simplifying technical language and contextualizing Aquinas's thought for a contemporary audience. The goal is to determine how effectively this brief history unlocks Aquinas's wisdom for the modern reader.

Breaking Down Barriers: How Davies Makes Aquinas Accessible

Surreal illustration of an open book revealing a cityscape, symbolizing the timeless wisdom of Aquinas.

One of the primary hurdles in understanding Aquinas is his use of technical language. Davies addresses this by carefully explaining key terms and concepts in plain English. For instance, when discussing Aquinas's arguments for the existence of God, Davies avoids jargon and focuses on the underlying logic. He uses everyday language to illustrate complex philosophical points.

Consider this passage regarding the challenge of proving God's existence and the role of testimony:

Davies quotes Aquinas: "It is often said that those who believe that God exists have no business doing so unless they can prove God's existence. Aquinas, however, does not accept this view. He does not think it always irrational to believe what one cannot prove since he is aware that learning often heavily depends on accepting things on someone's say-so."
Davies continues by adding: "He also recognizes that, as Aristotle emphasized, in order to avoid an infinite regress, we cannot argue at all unless we take some propositions to stand without demonstration."

Davies' language is remarkably clear. Sentences are short and crisp, minimizing technical jargon. The complex issue of epistemic warrant is deftly translated into the idea of 'learning often heavily depends on accepting things on someone's say-so'. Even the potentially confusing concept of 'infinite regress' is clarified by relating it to the need for foundational assumptions in any argument. While the term might be new to some, Davies contextualizes it sufficiently for initial understanding.

A Valuable Starting Point for Exploring Aquinas

Davies' book successfully navigates the challenges of presenting Aquinas in a brief and accessible format. By simplifying technical language and providing historical context, he creates a valuable entry point for readers new to Aquinas's thought.

While some complex ideas are necessarily condensed, Davies maintains a high level of clarity throughout the book. His ability to express Aquinas's arguments in simple and clear language is a testament to his skill as a teacher and writer.

For those seeking an introduction to one of history's most influential thinkers, "Thomas Aquinas: A Very Brief History" provides a solid foundation for further exploration. It serves as an excellent starting point for anyone interested in delving into the rich and complex world of Aquinas's philosophy and theology.

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Everything You Need To Know

Who was Thomas Aquinas and why might modern readers find his work challenging?

Thomas Aquinas was a significant figure in philosophy and theology. Modern readers often find his works challenging due to their intricate arguments, technical terminology, and the historical context of medieval thought which can be unfamiliar. Grasping Aquinas requires navigating his specific vocabulary and understanding the intellectual landscape in which he developed his ideas.

What is Brian Davies' "Thomas Aquinas: A Very Brief History" attempting to achieve?

Brian Davies' "Thomas Aquinas: A Very Brief History" aims to make Thomas Aquinas's complex ideas accessible to a modern audience, particularly those new to his work. The book seeks to provide a clear and concise introduction to his key concepts, without requiring prior knowledge of medieval philosophy or academic theology, thus acting as a bridge to understanding Aquinas's enduring wisdom.

How does Davies handle Thomas Aquinas's technical language to make it more understandable?

Davies addresses the challenge of Thomas Aquinas's technical language by carefully explaining key terms and concepts in plain language. He focuses on the underlying logic of Aquinas's arguments, avoiding unnecessary jargon, and illustrating complex philosophical points with everyday language. This approach makes Aquinas's ideas more accessible to readers without a background in philosophy or theology.

According to Thomas Aquinas, is it always necessary to prove something before believing it? How does Davies explain this?

Thomas Aquinas doesn't believe it's always irrational to believe something without proof, as learning often relies on accepting information from others. Davies clarifies this by emphasizing that Aquinas, like Aristotle, understood that arguments require foundational assumptions that are accepted without demonstration to avoid infinite regress. This highlights Aquinas's understanding of the limits of proof and the role of trust and foundational beliefs in knowledge.

What are the broader implications of simplifying philosophers like Thomas Aquinas for modern audiences, and what might be lost or gained in the process?

Simplifying philosophers like Thomas Aquinas makes their ideas accessible to a wider audience, potentially sparking interest in philosophy and theology and revealing the relevance of historical thought to contemporary issues. However, simplification risks oversimplifying complex arguments, potentially losing nuances and subtleties of Aquinas's original thought. It's crucial to strike a balance between accessibility and intellectual rigor to ensure that readers gain a genuine understanding of Aquinas's ideas, rather than a superficial overview. Also, the risk of decontextualization exists, where ideas are presented outside their original historical and intellectual setting, which can lead to misinterpretations or a failure to appreciate the full depth of Aquinas's contributions.