Thomas Aquinas is one of the giants of medieval philosophy, a thinker who had--and who still has--a profound influence on Western thought. Aquinas was a controversial figure in his time who was often engaged in fierce theological debates. He was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology, and the father of the Thomistic school of philosophy and theology. This Very Short Introduction will look at Aquinas in a historical context, and explore the Church and culture into which Aquinas was born. It will consider Aquinas as philosopher and theologian, and will look at the relationship between philosophy and religion in the thirteenth century. Fergus Kerr, in this engaging and informative introduction, makes the Summa Theologiae, Aquinas's greatest single work, accessible to new readers. He also sheds valuable light on the importance of Thomas Aquinas in modern times, showing why Aquinas matters now, illustrating the significant role that the writings of Aquinas play in contemporary debate.

Thomas Aquinas: A Very Short Introduction

Kerr, Fergus

Religion & Spirituality

Oxford University Press

Fergus Kerr's study - which is derived from his highly-regarded Stanton Lectures, delivered in the University of Cambridge in 1994/5 - focuses on the more or less obvious theological commitments of several much-discussed contemporary philosophers. By so doing, the author daringly extends the agenda of what is usually considered to be 'philosophy of religion.'. The ramifications of his study are extensive: even if philosophy is not at bottom theology, as von Balthasar once claimed, the theological preconceptions in much modern philosophy would seem to deserve considerably more attention than they have received hitherto.

Immortal Longings: Versions of Transcending Humanity

University of Notre Dame Press

For all its thoroughly secular form, religious motifs play a much more significant part in a good deal of late 20th-century philosophy than might at first appear. This study focuses on the more or less obvious theological commitments of several much-discussed contemporary philosophers.

Immortal Longings

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

S.P.C.K. Publishing

The philosopher Wittgenstein is considered by many to be the most influential and significant of the 20th century. This book introduces him to students of theology and focuses on his writings dealing with theological issues such as the inner life, immortality of the soul, and the relationship of the believer to church and tradition.

Theology After Wittgenstein

SPCK Publishing

Theology, unlike the social sciences, has not absorbed Wittgenstein's seminal discussions of language, even though they focus on questions that are obviously important for theological issues - such as the inner life, public and private religious experience, the immortality of the soul, revelation and the relation of the individual believer to the Church and tradition. Fergus Kerr contends that a close reading of Wittgenstein's later work is one good way of confronting the Cartesian and empiricist assumptions that characterize current approaches to theology. He draws out the themes and implications of Wittgenstein's texts and shows how various central theological debates could look "after Wittgenstein". This work is aimed at students of theology and modern philosophy.

Blackwell Pub.

After Aquinas: Versions of Thomism

This guide to the most interesting work that has recently appeared on Aquinas reflects the revival of interest in his work. 
<ul> <li>Written by one of the foremost Roman Catholic theologians currently writing in English. 
</li> <li>Offers a guide to the most interesting work that has recently appeared on Aquinas, reflecting the revival of interest in his work. 
</li> <li>Brings together in one volume, a range of views that have previously only been accessible through different books, articles, and periodicals. 
</li> <li>Represents a major revisionist treatment of Thomism and its significance, combining useful exposition with original, creative thinking. 
</li> <li>Offers students, in one volume, all the material necessary for a rounded understanding of Aquinas.</li> </ul>

Wiley/Blackwell

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was by any reckoning one of the major modern philosophers. Raised as a Catholic in late-19th century Vienna, he later gave up practicing his religion; yet, as journal notes and many anecdotes attest, he remained deeply if ambivalently interested in religion throughout his life. Students of the philosophy of religion are familiar with his lectures on religious belief. For the rest, however, in the vast collection of commentary and criticism that has accumulated over the years, little attention has been paid to his religious interests.  In consideration of how far Wittgenstein's Catholic background may have influenced his philosophical reflections on the soul, preeminent author Fergus Kerr explores aspects of Wittgenstein's personal and professional life. Kerr examines many of Wittgenstein's writings and lectures, including his last set of lectures in the mid-1940s at the University of Cambridge on philosophical psychology.Beginning with a largely biographical study of Wittgenstein, Kerr argues that Wittgenstein's philosophy was partly prompted by his strong reaction against what he regarded as an excessively rationalistic type of Catholic apologetics that he was taught in his early school years. His serious interest as a student at Cambridge in experimental psychology and in the works of Freud is documented. In the second half of the book, Kerr expounds Wittgenstein's famous "Private Language Argument"―his mockery of the idea that one could have thoughts that are in principle incommunicable. He then discusses three philosophers, John Wisdom, Stanley Cavell, and Richard Eldrige, who have developed Wittgenstein's ideas on self-understanding in ways that should interest students with a desire to rethink psychology in the context of an integrally humanist anthropology of the human person. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Fergus Kerr, O.P., is an honorary senior lecturer in theology and religious studies at the University of Edinburgh and past head of Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford. He is the editor of New Blackfriars and the renowned author of numerous works, including Theology after Wittgenstein, After Aquinas: Versions of Thomism, and most recently Twentieth-Century Catholic Theologians: From Neoscholasticism to Nuptial Mysticism.PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "[A] fresh and fascinating, impressively lucid study of Wittgenstein's later philosophy, and of his attitude to religion." ― Nicholas Lash, Modern Theology

"Work on Oneself": Wittgenstein's Philosophical Psychology (Institute for the Psychological Sciences Monograph)

The Catholic University of America Press

This book reports on the lives and works of the most influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century.   A new book from one of the foremost Roman Catholic theologians currently writing in English Reports on the lives and works of the most influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century Covers theologians including: Chenu, the guru of the French worker priest movement; Congar who was imprisoned in Colditz; and Küng who was banned from teaching for decades because of his radical views Highlights the involvement of each theologian with the Second Vatican Council, and the dissatisfaction of most with what was achieved Includes a chapter on the controversial prelate, Pope John Paul II

Twentieth-Century Catholic Theologians

This book reports on the lives and works of the most influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century. 
<ul>
<li>A new book from one of the foremost Roman Catholic theologians currently writing in English</li> <li>Reports on the lives and works of the most influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century</li> <li>Covers theologians including: Chenu, the guru of the French worker priest movement; Congar who was imprisoned in Colditz; and Küng who was banned from teaching for decades because of his radical views</li> <li>Highlights the involvement of each theologian with the Second Vatican Council, and the dissatisfaction of most with what was achieved</li> <li>Includes a chapter on the controversial prelate, Pope John Paul II</li> </ul>

History

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kerr, Fergus. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Kerr, Fergus

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kerr, Fergus. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Thomas Aquinas: A Very Short Introduction

Immortal Longings: Versions of Transcending Humanity

Immortal Longings

Theology After Wittgenstein

Theology After Wittgenstein

After Aquinas: Versions of Thomism

After Aquinas: Versions of Thomism

"Work on Oneself": Wittgenstein's Philosophical Psychology (Institute for the Psychological Sciences Monograph)

Twentieth-Century Catholic Theologians

Twentieth-Century Catholic Theologians