The purely philosophical theories of Aquinas are explained in the
article Scholasticism. In connexion with the problem of universals, he
held that the diversity of individuals depends on the quantitative
division of matter
(materia signata), and in this way he
attracted the criticism of the Scotists, who pointed out that this very
matter is individual and determinate, and, therefore, itself requires
explanation. In general, Aquinas maintained in different senses the real
existence of universals
ante rem, in re and
post rem. The
best modern edition of the works of Aquinas is that prepared at the
expense of Leo XIII. (Rome, 1882-1903). The Abbe Migne published a very
useful edition of the
Summa Theologiae, in four vols., as an
appendix to his
Patrologiae Cursus Cornpletus; English editions,
J. Rickaby (London, 1872), J. M. Ashley (London, 1888). See
Acta
Sanct., vii. Martii; A. Touron,
La Vie de St Thomas d' Aquin,
avec un exposé de sa doctrine et de ses ouvrages (Paris,
1737); Karl Werner,
Der Heilige Thomas von Aquino (1858);
and R. B. Vaughan,
St Thomas of Aquin, his Life and Labours
(London, 1872) : other lives by P. Cavanagh (London, 1890); E.
Desmousseaux de Giure (Paris, 1888); M. Didot (Louvain, 1894).1894).
For the philosophy of Aquinas, see Albert Stockl,
Geschichte der
Philosophic des Mittelalters, ii.; B. Haureau,
De la philosophic
scolastique, vol. ii.; J. Frohschammer,
Die Philos. d. Th. von
A. (Leipzig, 1889); K. Prantl,
Geschichte d. Logik, vol.
iii.; C. M. Schneider,
Natur, Vernunft, Gott (Regensburg, 1883),
Das Wissen Gottes nach d. Lehre des Th. v. A. (4 vols.
Regensburg, 1884-1886),
Die socialistische Staatsidee beleuchtet
durch Th. v. A. (Paderborn, 1894); A. Harnack,
Hist. of
Dogma (trans. Wm.
Gilchrist, London, 1899); Ueberweg's History of
Philosophy, vol. i. See also H. C. O'Neill, New Things and Old in
St Thomas Aquinas (1909), with biography. (T. M. L.; J. M. M.)
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