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Summary: A Commentary on Aquinas' View of the Human Nature
Review: We are using this text in one of my classes this semester at Marquette University. The book is a very detailed commentary on Aquinas' view of the human nature from the Summa.Pasnau takes ancient and modern thinkers and formulates arguments and/or proposals regarding the various areas of the human nature. For instance, Pasnau will take Gilbert Ryle's arguments on the human will and examine them in light of Aquinas. This is merely one brief and small example. The text is very detailed in every issue covered regarding not only what Aquinas thought but also what other various thinkers in the history of philosophy have had to say after Aquinas or perhaps before Aquinas. The one advantage of this text, it seems, is that Pasnau has written in such a way that the nonspecialist and specialist alike will benefit. As Pasnau claims, "I have tried to write a book that would help the novice, stimulate the nonspecialist, and provoke the specialist." I think he has accomplished this in this work. The contents of this text include: I. Essential features
Body and Soul
-the immateriality of the soul
-the unity of body and soul
-when human life begins
II. Capacities
-the soul and its capacities
-sensations
-desire and freedom
-will and temptation
III. Functions
-mind and image
-mind and reality
-knowing the mind
-life after death There is also an excellent appendix that outlines ST 1a 75-89, and a very nice epilogue titled "Why did God Make Me?"
Everything one would want from Aquinas view of the human nature is commented upon in this text. This is a great secondary text for those who want to gain a better understanding of not only the Thomistic arguments for human nature but also for those other thinkers in the history of philosophy who have written on this topic either in response to Aquinas or of their own accord (those perhaps prior to Aquinas). Thus, this makes for a good secondary reference tool.
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