The Treatise on Law - (Notre Dame Studies in Law and Contemporary Issues) by Thomas Aquinas (Paperback)

About the Book

In this translation of Saint Thomas Aquinas's The Treatise on Law, R. J. Henle, S.J., a well-known authority on philosophy and jurisprudence, fluently and accurately presents the Latin and English translation of this important work. Henle provides the necessary background for an informed reading of the Treatise, as well as the only in-depth commentary available in English on this text.

The first section of the book contains an introduction to St. Thomas's life, work, writings, and jurisprudence. Henle discusses the structure of St. Thomas's magnum opus, Summa Theologiae, from which The Treatise on Law is excerpted. A brief section is included on Scholastic philosophy and also on St. Thomas's approach to the study of law. Henle then examines Thomas's definition of a law and the general doctrinal background for the Treatise. Finally Henle explores St. Thomas's sources, including his use of auctoritates, or authoritative quotations drawn primarily from the Bible, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Isidore of Seville.The second part of the book contains the Latin text of the Treatise presented unit by unit, each followed by the English translation and, when appropriate, by a comment. The Treatise on Law will be of interest to law students, lawyers, judges, and legal scholars. It will also appeal to those interested in St. Thomas's legal philosophy, such as political scientists, theoretical sociologists, and cultural historians. For philosophers, especially beginners in medieval philosophy, it serves as a good introduction to the thought of St. Thomas. "Distinguished Jesuit scholar R.J. Henle provides us with a text and translation of the Treatise on Law that both locates it in its native habitat and enables it to live a responsible life on its own. Henle has produced a magnificently useful book that should revolutionize courses in moral and political philosophy as well as those in jurisprudence." --Ralph McInerny, author of A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas

Book Synopsis

In this translation of Saint Thomas Aquinas's The Treatise on Law, R. J. Henle, S.J., a well-known authority on philosophy and jurisprudence, fluently and accurately presents the Latin and English translation of this important work. Henle provides the necessary background for an informed reading of the Treatise, as well as the only in-depth commentary available in English on this text. The first section of the book contains an introduction to St. Thomas's life, work, writings, and jurisprudence. Henle discusses the structure of St. Thomas's magnum opus, Summa Theologiae, from which The Treatise on Law is excerpted. A brief section is included on Scholastic philosophy and also on St. Thomas's approach to the study of law. Henle then examines Thomas's definition of a law and the general doctrinal background for the Treatise. Finally Henle explores St. Thomas's sources, including his use of auctoritates, or authoritative quotations drawn primarily from the Bible, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Isidore of Seville. The second part of the book contains the Latin text of the Treatise presented unit by unit, each followed by the English translation and, when appropriate, by a comment. The Treatise on Law will be of interest to law students, lawyers, judges, and legal scholars. It will also appeal to those interested in St. Thomas's legal philosophy, such as political scientists, theoretical sociologists, and cultural historians. For philosophers, especially beginners in medieval philosophy, it serves as a good introduction to the thought of St. Thomas.

Review Quotes

"Distinguished Jesuit scholar R.J. Henle provides us with a text and translation of the Treatise on Law that both locates it in its native habitat and enables it to live a responsible life on its own. Henle has produced a magnificently useful book that should revolutionize courses in moral and political philosophy as well as those in jurisprudence." --Ralph McInerny, author of A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas

"The four chapters of the introduction discuss such items as the life and work of St. Thomas, the structure of the Summa, Scholasticism, St. Thomas's approach to the study of law, the nature of definition, the clarification of key terms, 'Nature and Essence, ' the virtues, Thomas's doctrine on natural law, with a chapter on St. Thomas's sources and his use of them. This is followed by the Latin text of the Treatise unit by unit, each unit in turn followed by the English translation and when appropriate by a comment." --Manuscripta

About the Author

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a Doctor of the church. He was an Italian Dominican friar and Roman Catholic priest who was an influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism. Canonized in 1323 by Pope John XXII, Aquinas was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology and the father of Thomism.

R. J. Henle, S.J. (1909-2000) was professor emeritus of philosophy and jurisprudence at St. Louis University. Father Henle published hundreds of books, articles, and reviews. Noteworthy among them were his Latin Series, Marquette Aquinas Lecture, Method in Metaphysics, St. Thomas and Platonism, and Theory of Knowledge.