St. Thomas Aquinas: An Exposition of the 'On the Hebdomads' of Boethius (Thomas Aquinas in Translation)

In his sixth-century work commonly known as the De hebdomadibus, Boethius (ca. 480-524) poses the question of how created things or substances can be good just as they are--that is, good just by existing--without being the same as the source of all goodness, God, who is understood to be Goodness Itself. In his commentary written in the thirteenth century, St. Thomas Aquinas sets out to explain the problem Boethius is treating as well as to elucidate Boethius's solution. In doing so, however, the Angelic Doctor suggests a more developed analysis of goodness, based on his own metaphysical perspective. "In his sixth-century work commonly known as the De hebdomadibus, Boethius (ca. 480-524) poses the question of how created things or substances can be good just as they are -- that is, good just by existing -- without being the same as the source of all goodness, God, who is understood to be Goodness Itself. In his commentary written in the thirteenth century, St. Thomas Aquinas sets out to explain the problem Boethius is treating as well as to explicate Boethius's solution. In doing so, however, the Angelic Doctor suggests a more developed analysis of goodness, based on his own metaphysical perspective. Still, his view can be seen to continue the emphasis Boethius himself placed on the notion of creation -- bringing into being -- as crucial to understanding the issues at hand. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 12 The Background 13 "On the Hebdomads" 24 Crucial Notions in Boethius 38 Aquinas on Boethius 59 Editorial Policies 67 An Exposition of the On the Hebdomads of Boethius 70 Chapter 1 71 Chapter 2 83 Chapter 3 99 Chapter 4 109 Chapter 5 119 Notes to the Translation 128 Select Bibliography 132 In his sixth-century work known as the ""De hebdomadibus,"" Boethius (ca. 480-524) poses the question of how created things or substances can be good just as they are without being the same as the source of all goodness, God. The introduction provides a background to understanding Boethius' views. The English translation itself, in facing-page format with the 1992 Leonine critical edition of Aquinas's Latin text, remains faithful to the text and at the same time clear and readable.