Dr. Donald G. Boland’s 12-Volume Series on Saint Thomas Aquinas and Volumes on Fr. Austin Woodbury and Charles Taylor
The twelve books shown below are based on the work of St. Thomas Aquinas. Though much is contained in his theological writings, the aim is philosophical which, as Aquinas famously says, commenting on Aristotle in In de caelo, is not to know what many, including Aristotle himself, may have thought, but “the truth of thing” (veritas rei).
Hence, the object is to cover the whole scope of philosophy and science so as to bring out the full range of natural reason that can be found in Aquinas’s writings, if mainly in his commentaries on Aristotle. This everyone will readily appreciate is an aim, even at the level of human reason, that is hardly reachable without divine assistance.
Aquinas, as a person of Faith, evidently had such assistance, so has been accorded by the highest teaching authority on earth–the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ, the Son of God–the majestic title of Common Doctor (Universal Teacher), not just on matters of Faith but also of Reason, though the latter is principally concerned with natural wisdom (Metaphysics) and practical reason (Morals). This evidently does not extend to where St. Thomas is speaking tentatively and merely expressing an opinion (as does Aristotle), especially in many cases of natural philosophy or science.
The author does not make any claim to perfection or completeness in presenting, according to his limited capacity, the genial grasp of Aquinas (and Aristotle) of “the truth of thing”. His intent is to bring the gist of the writings of Aquinas on philosophy to the notice of all who are either sadly unaware of his works, or, for one reason or another, know of his works in a widely misrepresented or misinterpreted way, even in current Catholic educational institutions.
Testimonials
“I truly believe as time passes this unique series will be more and more sought after by those who want a really good education in the philosophy of St Thomas Aquinas and much more besides.” – Frank Calneggia, editor of many of these works below and author of Assertions and Refutations
Donald G Boland, Ll. B. (Sydney), Ph. D. (Angelicum), is a founding member of the Centre for Catholic Studies Inc. in Sydney, Australia, and served as its president. He practiced for a number of years as a lawyer having a degree in law from the University of Sydney. Over much the same time, having obtained a doctorate in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Rome, he has taught philosophy and law in both Catholic and secular educational institutions, such as the University of Technology, Sydney, the University of Newcastle, the Aquinas Academy, the Centre for Thomistic Studies Inc., now operating under the name of the Centre for Catholic Studies Inc., and various Catholic seminaries, such as those of the Marists and the Vincentians.
His doctoral thesis was on the concepts of utility and value in economics as found in the works of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. He has maintained a constant interest in the relation between moral, social and political philosophy and modern Economic Science. He has written numerous articles on this and other subjects and has now condensed them into these books.