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Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), the most renowned philosopher and theologian of the Western Middle Ages, constructed an innovative system of theology and philosophy represented by his work Summa Theologiae. He achieved this by integrating Christian theology, derived from the Bible, with ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle.
 
When examining Thomas Aquinas's intellectual endeavors, the term "integration of faith and reason" is often used.  This book, howerer, reinterprets Aquinas's systematic pursuit of wisdom as a “dialogue between reason and mystery.”
 
While many may see little difference between “faith and reason” and “reason and mystery,” a significant distinction exists between the two. The “faith and reason” framework tends to position “faith” and “reason” as oppositional. “Reason” is the capacity to think logically, while “faith” pertains to matters beyond rational comprehension.
 
When the expression “reason and mystery” is used, a significantly different perspective emerges.
 
“Mystery” refers to the fundamental nature of the world that is beyond human grasp. , human beings mobilize all that they have to explore the “mystery” that gives meaning to the entire world. Here, both faith and reason serve as complementary tools for engaging with this mystery. The “reason and mystery” framework presents ”faith” and “reason” as collaborative tools for understanding the world’s fundamental mystery.
 
Human reason does not shrink before the mystery but grows through the encounter with it. While human reason cannot independently probe God’s mystery, reason, guided by the “words of God” in the Bible, can gradually penetrate deeper into divine mysteries. This encounter matures human reason, allowing it to fulfill its potential more effectively in collaboration with the divine mystery. The book meticulously analyzes this potential through the concept of the self-transcendence of human reason.
 
By extensively quoting and carefully interpreting Aquinas's works, the book serves as a robust introduction to understanding Aquinas’s texts, making it an essential read for undergraduate students interested in philosophy and religion.
 

(Written by YAMAMOTO Yoshihisa, Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences / 2024)

Related Info

Award:
The 40^th (2018) Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities, History and Civilization  (Suntory Foundation  2018)

 
Workshop:
Aquinas’ social ontology and natural law in perspective
Insights for and from the social sciences  (The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Vatican City  March 7-8, 2024)

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