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Biography of St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas, born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, was a Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers in Western intellectual history and a key figure in scholasticism, a medieval philosophical and theological movement.
At a young age, Aquinas joined the Dominican Order against the wishes of his family, who wanted him to pursue a secular career. He studied at the University of Naples, where he was exposed to the works of Aristotle and the writings of the early Christian theologian St. Augustine, which had a profound influence on his intellectual development.
Aquinas continued his studies in Paris under the renowned philosopher and theologian Albertus Magnus. There, he engaged in rigorous intellectual pursuits and became known for his exceptional intellect and scholarship. Aquinas also received a thorough education in theology and became a skilled biblical scholar.
One of Aquinas’s most significant works is the Summa Theologica, a comprehensive systematic treatise on theology and philosophy. In this monumental work, Aquinas synthesized and harmonized the teachings of Aristotle with Christian theology. The Summa Theologica covers a wide range of topics, including the nature of God, ethics, human nature, and the sacraments.
Aquinas’s philosophy was marked by his commitment to reason and the integration of faith and reason. He believed that reason and revelation were complementary and that both could lead to a deeper understanding of truth. His approach emphasized the compatibility of philosophy and theology, rejecting the notion of inherent conflict between them.
Aquinas’s philosophical and theological ideas had a profound impact on Western thought. He provided rational arguments for the existence of God, known as the “Five Ways,” which presented philosophical justifications for belief in a transcendent Creator. He also explored the concept of natural law, asserting that there are moral principles rooted in human nature that are accessible through reason.
St. Thomas Aquinas’s contributions to theology and philosophy were widely recognized during his lifetime. His influence continues to be felt today, and his teachings remain a cornerstone of Catholic theology. In 1323, he was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. He is often referred to as the “Doctor Angelicus” and is regarded as one of the church’s greatest theologians and intellectual authorities.
Aquinas passed away on March 7, 1274, while en route to the Council of Lyon. Despite his relatively short life, his extensive writings and profound insights have left an enduring legacy in philosophy, theology, and Christian thought.
Summa Theologiae
I answer that, the existence of God can be proved in five ways.
The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another,