Summa theologica

Summa theologica is a work of theology written by Thomas Aquinas between 1265 and 1274. Aquinas stopped writing in December 1273 and died the following year, so the work is unfinished: the closing section was assembled after his death from his earlier writings.

It was written for students beginning theology, and it moves from God and creation to human nature and moral action, and then to the person and work of Christ and the sacraments.

Each question is broken into articles that first state the objections, then give Aquinas's answer, then reply to each objection in turn. The extract below is the opening article, which asks whether any teaching beyond philosophy is needed at all.

"Whether, besides Philosophy, any Further Doctrine Is Required?
Objection 1: It seems that, besides philosophical science, we have no need of any further knowledge. For man should not seek to know what is above reason: "Seek not the things that are too high for thee" (Ecclus. 3:22). But whatever is not above reason is fully treated of in philosophical science. Therefore any other knowledge besides philosophical science is superfluous."

This edition of Summa theologica is based on Fathers of the English Dominican Province's translation.