Treatise on Law (Summa Theologiae)

Thomas Aquinas

c. 1265-1273 CE

Summa Theologiae [1272], 2.1, trans. Parry

St. Thomas's Summa theologiae is often compared to a medieval cathedral because of its sublime construction both as a work of logic and literary architecture. Here is a mere tip of one of the spires, summarizing the great Saint's views on the nature and structure of law. Believing that law achieves its results by imposing moral obligations rather than outright force, St. Thomas defines the Christian view of liberty.

 

Seminars

• Seminar III