On Creation: Quaestiones Disputatae de Potentia Dei, Q. 3 (Thomad Aquinas in Translation)

Thomas Aquinas wrote his Disputed Questions on the Power of God (Quaestiones Disputatae de Potentia Dei) in Rome in 1265-66. Begun, though probably not completed, before he wrote the first part of his famous work, the Summa theologiae, the de potentia Dei considered ten questions that evoked lively debate in Thomas' day and continue to do so in our own. This volume includes a new English translation of Question 3, in which Thomas takes up questions and ideas about divine and human freedom, whether or not the world is created, the problem of evil, the efficacy of creatures, and the status of the developing human embryo. It offers a comprehensive treatment of creation and the metaphysics and anthropology Thomas employs in considering the general creation of the universe and the particular creation of each human being. Susan C. Selner-Wright's translation of the critical Leonine edition is intended to make Thomas' contribution to the current discussion more accessible. It constitutes a focused but extended example of Thomas at the height of his intellectual powers. We find him here in conversation with fifty different source works; engaged with the ideas of pagan, Christian, Islamic, and Jewish thought; and demonstrating his understanding of philosophy and theology as distinct but complementary disciplines. Throughout the text, Selner-Wright directs the reader to Thomas' own sources, related texts elsewhere in Thomas' corpus, and secondary sources. Philosophical notes give background for particular claims or arguments and trace important philosophical principles at work throughout the text. ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR: Susan C. Selner-Wright is associate professor of philosophy at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. This Volume Includes A New English Translation Of Question 3, In Which Thomas Takes Up Questions And Ideas About Divine And Human Freedom, Whether Or Not The World Is Created, The Problem Of Evil, The Efficacy Of Creatures, And The Status Of The Developing Human Embryo. It Offers A Comprehensive Treatment Of Creation And The Metaphysics And Anthropology Thomas Employs In Considering The General Creation Of The Universe And The Particular Creation Of Each Human Being. Susan C. Selner-wright's Translation Of The Critical Leonine Edition Is Intended To Make Thomas' Contribution To The Current Discussion More Accessible. It Constitutes A Focused But Extended Example Of Thomas At The Height Of His Intellectual Powers. Throughout The Text, Selner-wright Directs The Reader To Thomas' Own Sources, Related Texts Elsewhere In Thomas' Corpus, And Secondary Sources. Philosophical Notes Give Background For Particular Claims Or Arguments And Trace Important Philosophical Principles At Work Throughout The Text. --book Jacket. Article 1. Whether God Can Make Something Out Of Nothing -- Article 2. Whether Creation Is A Change -- Article 3. Whether Creation Is Something Real In The Creature, And, If It Is, What It Is -- Article 4. Whether The Power Or Even The Act Of Creation Is Communicable To Another -- Article 5. Whether There Can Be Anything That Is Not Created By God -- Article 6. Whether There Is Only One Principle Of Creation -- Article 7. Whether God Works In All The Operations Of Nature -- Article 8. Whether God Operates In Nature By Creating, Which Is To Ask Whether Creation Is -- Mingled With The Work Of Nature -- Article 9. Whether The Rational Soul Is Brought Into Being By Creation Or By The Transmission Of -- Semen -- Article 10. Whether The Rational Soul Is Created In The Body Or Apart From The Body -- Article 11. Whether The Sensitive Or Vegetative Souls Are Created Or Transmitted Through The -- Semen -- Article 12. Whether The Sensitive Or Vegetative Soul Is In The Semen From The Beginning, When It -- Issues Forth -- Article 13. Whether Something Which Is From Another Can Be Eternal -- Article 14. Whether That Which Is From God, Differing In Essence From Him, Can Have Always -- Been -- Article 15. Whether Things Proceeded From God By Natural Necessity Or By The Decree Of His Will -- Article 16. Whether A Multitude Can Proceed From One First Thing -- Article 17. Whether The World Has Always Existed -- Article 18. Whether Angels Were Created Before The Visible World -- Article 19. Whether Angels Could Have Existed Before The Visible World. St. Thomas Aquinas ; Translated With Introduction And Notes By S. C. Selner-wright. Translated From Latin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From The Latin. Contents Introduction A Note on the Translation Abbreviations On Creation [Quaestiones Disputatae de Potentia Dei, Q. 3] Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Article 5 Article 6 Article 7 Article 8 Article 9 Article 10 Article 11 Article 12 Article 13 Article 14 Article 15 Article 16 Article 17 Article 18 Article 19 Bibliography Index of Subjects Index of Sources The first English translation of the authoritative Leonine edition of Q. 3 of St. Thomas Aquinas's De Potentia Dei. It includes a new English translation of Question 3, in which Thomas takes up questions and ideas about divine and human freedom.