Boethius and Aquinas /

Few individuals have figured as prominently in the history of Christian philosophical thought as have Anicius Boethius and St. Thomas Aquinas. Here, McInerny (Notre Dame) argues for a reevaluation of the relationship between "the last of the Romans and the first of the Scholastics" and his famous medieval commentator. McInerny is principally concerned with refuting the assessment of those modern scholars (led by Pierre Duhem) who have maintained that Thomas's understanding of key portions of Boethius's writings is faulty. In response, McInerny focuses on two of the crucial texts: Boethius's De Hebdomadibus and De Trinitate. Through his systematic and detailed treatment of these works, as commented on by Aquinas, McInerny concludes that Aquinas did indeed come to a correct understanding of his predecessor's thought and, as a consequence, often accorded Boethius's views "pride of place" in his own wide-ranging discussions of philosophical questions. McInerny's thesis is well argued and persuasive, and this book should go far in restoring the reputation of Aquinas as Boethius's preeminent commentator. Recommended for advanced undergraduates and above. -C. L. Hanson, Muskingum College