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An Exposition of the 'on the Hebdomads' of Boethius (Thomas Aquinas in Translation)
An Exposition of the 'on the Hebdomads' of Boethius - Thomas Aquinas in Translation Author:Aquinas, Saint Thomas In his sixth-century work commonly known as the "De hebdomadibus," Boethius (ca. 480-524) poses the question of how created things or substances can be good just as they arethat is, good just by existingwithout being the same as the source of all goodness, God, who is understood to be Goodness Itself. In his commentary written in the... more » thirteenth century, St. Thomas Aquinas sets out to explain the problem Boethius is treating as well as to explicate Boethiuss solution. In doing so, however, the Angelic Doctor suggests a more developed analysis of goodness, based on his own metaphysical perspective. Still, his view can be seen to continue the emphasis Boethius himself placed on the notion of creationbringing into "being"as crucial to understanding the issues at hand. The introduction to this translation provides critical historical background, including an account of the influence of Cicero and Augustine, for understanding Boethiuss view of being, or "esse." Based on historical and textual analysis, the authors reaffirm the "traditional" interpretation, which holds that for Boethius esse indicates form rather than a distinct act of being. In articulating the difference between Boethiuss and Aquinass positions on "esse" and on goodness, and hence the relation of "esse" and goodness, Schultz and Synan show not only that Aquinas was respectful of Boethiuss stance, but that his own position could be seen as a development in harmony with his predecessors thought. The English translation itself, in facing-page format with the 1992 Leonine critical edition of Aquinass Latin text, remains faithful to the text and at the same time clear and readable. The work will be valuable to those interested in the fundamental philosophical and theological questions facing mediaeval thinkers and also to those interested in Aquinass metaphysical thought.« less