The Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas

PREFACE I n this historic sketch of the life of thought in the Middle Ages, the author tries as far as possible in three short lectures to show how Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas and the Scholastics of the twelfth century gave an impetus towards what in the twentieth century has come to be known as Spiritual Science, or Anthroposophy. A system of thinking and a method of investigation, in order to be effective, must go forward with the requirements of the century, otherwise philosophy and religion lag behind and miss their object. The theories of Thomas Aquinas, which were intended to be progressive, have become the property of a mighty sect, and the method, instead of being an instrument for progress, becomes an impediment in the machine. Rome, while glorifying Thomas Aquinas as a Church Father, has relegated his stupendous thought to a closed compartment only to be opened by those specially authorized. Rudolf Steiner puts him in the forefront of evolution, and, by Spiritual Science, endeavours to liberate him from the fetters of dogma. The Editor.