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r/CatholicPhilosophy•
LordMises

Good books on Aquinas's philosophy of mind?

I've read some of Feser's stuff (TLS, Aquinas, Scholastic Metaphysics, and Neo-Scholastic Essays) and it's all very interesting. I'm reading Oderberg's Real Essentialism currently. In short, I think I have a pretty good handle on Aristotelian-Thomistic metaphysics, but I'm really interested in the modern Scholastic perspective on the philosophy of mind. I've picked up bits and pieces from the above books, but I'm looking for a more complete exposition. Feser's list in the back of Aquinas is helpful, but it's large and I'm not really sure where to start.

So that said, could anyone point me in the direction of some helpful books and / or essays? Would be much appreciated.

Posted Feb 24, 2016, 3:57 AM UTC

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jasimon•

Have you read Feser's own book on the philosophy of mind? He also has a great collection of blog posts on philosophy of mind

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[deleted]•

[removed]

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bblackshaw•

I second Feser's PoM book. It's easy to read, and covers most viewpoints include hylomorphism.

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LordMisesOP•

I have. It's great, but it's not really directed at giving a complete exposition of the A-T view on the philosophy of mind.

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thelukinat0r•

You want two of my favorite Thomists:

Garrigou-LaGrange: Reality

And

Gardiel: Introduction to the Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas: Psychology

The latter is probably more suited to your question.

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LordMisesOP•

I'll have to check out Gardiel's book, thanks!

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Rivka333Student of Greek, Arabic, and Thomistic Metaphysics•

If you're not already doing so, I'd advise you at this point to go along and read Thomas himself. While Aquinas's metaphysics was influenced by the Neo-Platonists, his theory of mind was very closer-arguably identical to that of Aristotle.

So Aristotle's De Anima-accompanied by Aquinas's commentary is, without question, the best place to start. (Assuming you have a good grasp of Aristotelian metaphysics-understanding Aristotle's view of form and matter is the most important aspect of his metaphysics insofar as his theory of mind and work on the soul is concerned.

After that, Aquinas's work On the Unity of the Intellect Against the Averroeists could also be good.

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