Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas Summary
Overview of Summa Theologica
Thomas Aquinas's unfinished masterpiece - 614 questions across 3,125 articles that revolutionized Western thought. What medieval text influenced Dante's Divine Comedy, challenged Kant and Dawkins, and earned papal praise: "as many miracles as articles"? Discover philosophy's enduring cornerstone.
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Key takeaways
When Medieval Brilliance Meets Modern Questions
What happens when a 13th-century monk tackles the biggest questions humanity has ever asked-and his answers still echo through Supreme Court decisions, papal encyclicals, and philosophy departments today? Thomas Aquinas' *Summa Theologica* stands as one of history's most audacious intellectual projects: a complete map of reality, from the nature of God to the price of bread. Written between 1265 and 1274, this massive work has shaped everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to contemporary neuroscientists debating consciousness. Even Bertrand Russell, no friend to religion, called it "one of the great books of the world." What makes a medieval theological text relevant in an age of quantum physics and artificial intelligence? The answer lies in Aquinas' revolutionary insight-that faith and reason aren't enemies but partners in the search for truth. His balanced approach offers a sophisticated alternative to both fideism-rejecting reason for blind faith-and rationalism-accepting only what human reason can prove. For Aquinas, faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to contemplation of truth. Each is insufficient alone but powerful together.
Proving God and Understanding Divine Nature
The Embodied Soul and Human Nature
Virtue, Happiness, and the Good Life
Justice, Law, and Political Order
Grace, Sacraments, and Material Reality
The Ultimate Vision and Enduring Legacy
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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