Thomas Aquinas on God and Evil. By Brian Davies

Abstract

In this book, the author adeptly presents the teaching of Aquinas on God and evil. Although there is much that will be of value to the specialist, the book is avowedly aimed at a generalist audience, to those who bring little or nothing of philosophy or theology (or previous acquaintance with Aquinas) to the book. The style matches the audience. The book unfolds the different dimensions of Aquinas's view of God and evil in a methodical, considered way; and the author takes care to explain what he is doing at a given point, and what he is about to do, to the benefit of the newcomer to Aquinas on this topic. The pace can be leisurely, as the author will pause to explain at length, through definition or illustration, key terms, and concepts. There is also an air of familiarity to the writing. Especially in the earlier chapters, the reader can be addressed as “you,” as the author endeavors to draw the reader into a more adequate understanding of the chief points in Aquinas's teaching. The author's skill as a teacher is evident throughout.