Ideas in God According to Saint Thomas Aquinas: Sources and Synthesis

by Vivian Boland

This work examines the role of the doctrine of 'divine ideas' in the theology of Thomas Aquinas, a question which remains controversial.
Aquinas received this doctrine in two distinct forms, from Augustine and Dionysius. The historical origins and development of this twofold tradition are traced from Plato and Aristotle, through Hellenistic philosophy, to the patristic and medieval periods.
In Aquinas' account of God's knowledge, of the Word of God, of Creation and of Providence the doctrine of divine ideas plays a key role. Various strands of neoplatonist thought are clearly important for him but it is Aristotle who is of greatest significance for Aquinas' sustained and original re-thinking of the doctrine. A study of this question provides a fresh perspective on the nature of Aquinas' unique synthesis.

368 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

fr. Vivian Boland is former Master of Students of the English Dominicans; he has recently become the Master of the Order's Socius for North West Europe and Canada, based in Rome.

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boland traces the genealogy of Thomas' doctrine of the divine "ideas," the exemplars or forms according to which kinds of physical creatures are made. Boland shows Thomas developing his thought on the issue and wrestling with his own sources, largely Augustine and Dionysius. The Word becomes a key theme in articulating the theory.