The philosophy of Aquinas /

Pasnau and Shields (both, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) hold that Aquinas was an exceedingly original and dexterous philosopher who is highly worth studying even if one judges him inadequate. They use an analytic approach to explain his main theories, but they also raise detailed objections to some of his positions. A Thomist would reject some of their interpretations, e.g., that taking motion to mean only spatial motion, instead of change, distorts Aquinas's proof from motion for God's existence. Pasnau and Shields take up a wide range of issues, so that in effect their book could serve as an introduction to philosophy. Though their exposition is orderly and clear, the issues they address are fundamental and difficult; thus only advanced undergraduates would be likely to work through this book by themselves, whereas graduate students could find it very helpful. Frederick C. Copleston, in his classic Aquinas (1955), covers about the same ground in a purely expository fashion, and could profitably be read at the same time. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through faculty and researchers. G. J. Dalcourt emeritus, Seton Hall University