St Thomas Aquinas

Chestertons's book about the 'dumb ox' or the 'angelic doctor' is very interesting: it does not pretend to be more than an introduction (or a 'plan'), but in these 250 pages there is enough information to have quite some idea about Thomas' life, his character, his philosophy and his impact. Chesterton heralds him as the defender of 'common sense' (a title later applied to himself); he insists that Thomas' philosophy was the perfect middle that corresponds to what the common man thinks (even though the syllogisms are quite technical). Affirming the world as being created good (opposed to the overly platonistic thinkers), but letting it find its final goal in God. Affirming the importance of Aristotle's philosophy, but rather by 'baptizing Aristotle' than by compromising Christianity.