Thomas Aquinas: Understand the Universal Teacher's Greatest Ideas

Written by Eleonore Stump

Narrated by Eleonore Stump

This course will have a profound impact on your faith and thinking.

Thomas Aquinas, OP (1225-1274), is one of world history's most influential thinkers. His works indelibly shaped Western thought and Christian belief, and his brilliant ideas continue to resonate in universities and churches everywhere. But his complex thought can often seem inaccessible.

In this superb course, taught by an internationally known Aquinas expert, you will tour his towering thought while gaining powerful insights into your faith and values. You will cover his ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophical theology. Under Prof. Stump's guidance, you will see the world through his eyes.

You will begin with an introduction to Aquinas' ethics in order to explore his views on human flourishing and morality. Then you will gain tremendous insights into his metaphysics, which engage with the nature of ultimate reality, God's eternity, and much more. After looking at his philosophy of free will, you will explore his epistemology. Finally, you will encounter his complex and fascinating philosophical theology. Along the way Prof. Stump will guide you through complex philosophical concepts with deft and easy-to-understand teaching.

Although he died young, it is impossible to overestimate Aquinas' influence on Western philosophy. His thought remains as relevant today as ever. You don't want to miss this enlightening journey through the thought of one of the great intellectual giants of the Christian tradition.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Learn25
• Release date: Nov 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781632513137

Eleonore Stump

Eleonore Stump is the Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University. She has published extensively in philosophy of religion, contemporary metaphysics, and medieval philosophy. Her books include Aquinas (2003), Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering (2010), Atonement (2018), and The Image of God: The Problem of Evil and the Problem of Mourning (2022). She has given the Gifford Lectures (Aberdeen, 2003), the Wilde lectures (Oxford, 2006), the Stewart lectures (Princeton, 2009), and the Stanton lectures (Cambridge, 2018). She is past president of the American Philosophical Association, Central Division; and she is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Reviews for Thomas Aquinas

[Paul Winter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this one of the most helpful series of lectures I have ever listened to and I intend to go through them again. This isn't just a lot of philosophical theory, although there is plenty of that too, but is full of practical applications. Thomas Aquinas isn't easy to understand, I'm currently trying to wade through some of his books, but these lectures have helped me understand something of what he is about and made me think it's worthwhile struggling though.

[Alexis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing scholar! Brilliant work, brilliant teachings. I appreciate her teaching me about Aquinas in a clear, understandable way.