Skip to main content

Secondary sourceBook1924

The Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas

Étienne Gilson · 1924

An English translation of Étienne Gilson's major study explaining the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas.

An English translation of a major modern study explaining Thomas Aquinas's philosophy.

Ask Saint Thomas Aquinas about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
The Philosophy of St. Thomas AquinasPDF · 316 pages
Étienne Gilson, The Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, trans. Edward Bullough, 1924.

About this source

What it is

This 1924 book is an authorised English translation, by Edward Bullough, of Étienne Gilson's French study Le Thomisme, explaining the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. It was edited by Rev. G. A. Elrington and carries formal Catholic approvals for publication.

Why it matters

This book made Gilson's detailed explanation of Thomas's philosophy available to English readers, helping spread understanding of medieval Catholic thought in the twentieth century. It shows the continuing importance of Thomas's ideas to the Catholic Church long after his lifetime, since church officials formally approved its publication.

Look closer

  • Why might the Church have required formal approval before this book on Thomas's philosophy could be published?
  • What does translating Gilson's French study into English tell you about the audience Thomas's ideas still reached?
  • How might a secondary study like this shape what readers think Thomas believed, compared to reading his own words?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Thomas Aquinas on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Saint Thomas Aquinas sources

Meet the AI Saint Thomas Aquinas →
Title page of a 1596 Venice edition printed by Iuntas, with Latin text announcing two indexes to the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas, and a central ornate oval emblem with a fleur-de-lis and the letters L and A.Book

Primary source

Summa Theologica

Thomas Aquinas · 1274

Oil painting of a bearded monk in a dark black habit, seated at a desk with an open book and a stack of books, gazing upward. A crucifix with a figure of Christ hangs at upper right against a dark background.Painting

Secondary source

St Thomas Aquinas, 17th-century Italian oil painting

17th century

Document

Primary source

Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium

Thomas Aquinas · 1263

Engraving of a haloed saint kneeling at left, hand raised in refusal, facing a seated pope wearing a tiara and holding a crosier, with mitred bishops and a canopy behind. Latin caption text below.Painting

Secondary source

Thomas Aquinas Refuses the Archbishopric of Naples

1610

Painted altarpiece panel with a gold background. Christ is enthroned at the top within a pointed arch. Below, four evangelist-like figures hold open books. A central monk in black habit holds an open book inscribed with text, surrounded by a dark circle with golden rays. Figures in red and black robes flank him, and a crowd of people with halos and a kneeling figure appear at the bottom.Painting

Secondary source

Triumph of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Lippo Memmi · 1340

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Saint Thomas Aquinas now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions