Exploring over 1200 years of philosophical history, this work highlights the significant connections between various periods and thinkers while emphasizing the unique innovations and dynamics of each era. It offers a comprehensive view that balances continuity with the distinct contributions of individual philosophers, making it a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of philosophical thought.
Beginning with a brief overview of Aquinas' life and philosophical career, the authors introduce his overarching explanatory framework in order to provide the necessary background to his philosophical investigations across a wide range of areas: rational theology, metaphysics, philosophy of human nature, philosophy of mind, and ethical & political theory.
In this excellent introduction, Christopher Shields introduces and assesses the whole of Aristotle's philosophy, showing how his powerful conception of human nature shaped much of his thinking on the nature of the soul and the mind, ethics, politics and the arts.