Aquinas on Being

Aquinas on Being examines Thomas Aquinas's metaphysical theories about existence and being. This philosophical analysis focuses on Aquinas's core concepts of esse (being) and ens (that which exists). Kenny traces the development of Aquinas's views through his major works, including De Ente et Essentia and the Summa Theologiae. The text compares Aquinas's positions to those of other medieval philosophers and evaluates modern interpretations of his work. The book addresses key debates in Thomistic scholarship, including questions about the relationship between essence and existence. Kenny includes detailed analysis of original Latin texts and provides context for understanding Aquinas's philosophical framework. Kenny's work represents a significant contribution to both medieval philosophy studies and contemporary metaphysical discussions. The analysis reveals the ongoing relevance of Aquinas's theories to fundamental questions about the nature of being and existence.

Readers view this as a technical philosophical work targeting scholars and advanced students of metaphysics. Many appreciate Kenny's clear analysis of Aquinas's views on being and existence, particularly his detailed examination of key Latin terms and translations. Readers liked: - Thorough textual analysis and historical context - Clear explanations of complex metaphysical concepts - Strong engagement with primary sources Readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Assumes significant background knowledge - Some found Kenny's critiques of Aquinas too harsh From academic reviews: "Kenny provides valuable insights into medieval philosophical terminology" - Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "Makes important contributions to Aquinas scholarship" - Medieval Philosophy Quarterly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) Most reviewers note this book requires prior knowledge of scholastic philosophy and recommend it primarily for specialists rather than general readers interested in Aquinas.

Being and Time by Martin Heidegger This text examines the nature of being through phenomenological analysis, building on and challenging the metaphysical traditions that Aquinas helped establish.

The One and the Many by W. Norris Clarke This work explores Thomistic metaphysics and its relationship to contemporary philosophical questions about existence and being.

Truth in Aquinas by John Milbank and Catherine Pickstock The book analyses Aquinas's theory of truth and its connection to questions of being, knowledge, and theological understanding.

Aristotle's First Principles by Terence Irwin This examination of Aristotelian metaphysics provides context for understanding the philosophical foundation that influenced Aquinas's work on being.

The Thought of Thomas Aquinas by Brian Davies This systematic study presents Aquinas's metaphysical framework and its relationship to his broader philosophical and theological project.

🔹 Anthony Kenny's critique of Aquinas's theory of being was considered controversial among Thomistic scholars, as Kenny argues that Aquinas's conception of existence is logically flawed. 🔹 The book examines the influence of Arabic philosophers, particularly Avicenna, on Aquinas's understanding of being and essence—a connection often overlooked in traditional interpretations. 🔹 Kenny, despite being a former Catholic priest, approaches Aquinas's work from an analytical philosophy perspective rather than a theological one, making this book distinct from many other works on Aquinas. 🔹 The text addresses a famous medieval debate about whether "being" can be understood univocally (having exactly the same meaning in all cases) or analogically (having related but different meanings)—a debate that still influences modern philosophical discussions. 🔹 The book was published in 2002 as a follow-up to Kenny's earlier work "The Five Ways," and together they represent one of the most significant analytical examinations of Aquinas's metaphysics in the English language.