Product Description

When it is taught today, metaphysics is often presented as a fragmented view of philosophy that ignores the fundamental issues of its classical precedents. Eschewing these postmodern approaches, W. Norris Clarke finds an integrated vision of reality in the wisdom of Aquinas and here offers a contemporary version of systematic metaphysics in the Thomistic tradition.

The One and the Many presents metaphysics as an integrated whole which draws on Aquinas' themes, structure, and insight without attempting to summarize his work. Although its primary inspiration is the philosophy of St. Thomas himself, it also takes into account significant contributions not only of later philosophers but also of those developments in modern science that have philosophical bearing, from the Big Bang to evolution.

Clarke pursues two central themes in his explication of Thomistic metaphysics. He uncovers the unity and diversity found at all levels of the universe, with all beings held together in harmony rather than disconnected chaos. He also proposes the act of existence as the core of the positive attributes of all real beings, which in its pure unlimited state is the very nature of God. In the end, he offers a final synthetic overview of being both emanating from and returning to God in the Great Circle of Being—a journey in which each of us is a traveler.

Through Aquinas' metaphysics, Clarke helps the reader develop a holistic view of the meaningfulness of our universe and of human life. His work rescues the essence of Aquinas' metaphysics, making this body of thought accessible to students and interested readers not trained in Thomistic terminology and contributing to a revival of this fundamental component of philosophy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #188090 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 324 pages

Review
"Both students and teacher will benefit from a highly readable account of major themes in Aquinas’ metaphysics. . . ." -- Theological Studies, December 2002

"This book is rich in metaphysical insight and suggestiveness. . . ." -- Encounter, Vol.66, no.4, Autumn 2005

"Very interesting and provocative book, one that is likely to inspire future students to study metaphysics in the Thomistic tradition." -- The Thomist, Vol.67, no.3, July 2003

"W. Norris Clarke is one of the giants of North American Thomism. . . ." -- The Heythrop Journal, Vol.45, no.4, 10/2004

"[A] masterly account of the metaphysical system which he has worked out over a lifetime. . . ." -- Maritain Notebook, Fall 2001

About the Author
W. NORRIS CLARKE, S.J., is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Fordham University and is the author of Explorations in Metaphysics, also published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

Customer Reviews

A Metaphysical Page-Turner.
The history of metaphysical speculation is replete with contrast and contradiction; e.g. all is change, change is illusion, or all is one, each is all. As a result of which, many have sought new starting points and invented new lanquages (Heidegger must leap to mind) in the hope of providing improved perspectives.

In "The One and the Many", Norris Clarke accepts the challenge of Western thought. He does not attempt to start anew, invent a new language or rise above the past. Rather, he builds on the core ideas that Western speculation has provided seeking the limits and assimilating the truths of each.

Patiently and clearly by assimilation and contrast, Norris Clarke provides a 21st century "Thomistic existentialist" integration while calmly addressing the challenges of modernity to its ancient and medieval roots.

Half-way through Norris Clarke's The One and the Many, I decided to review some of Heidegger's Being and Time. Fresh from Father Clarke, Heidegger seemed intelligible. For this ametuer philosopher that was startling and a testimony to the clear think Father Clarke imparts to his readers.

This book is a joy to read. Enjoy him for both method and content and revel in a philosophy text that is an easy page-turner (this doesn't happen too often!).

Peace

Best introduction of Thomism
This is the best inroductory text on Thomas's thought I have seen. Fr Clarke does a fine job of relaying difficult metaphysical concepts in an easy to understand manner without compromising their meaning.

In this book, Thomistic thought is effectively applied to modern philosophical and scientific issues. Ch 8 on the nature of identity through time via substance is especially good, as is Clarke's explanation on the distinction between the act of existence and a thing's essence.

This is the text I recommend for both beginners in Thomas' thought as well as more advanced thinkers anxious to gain an insight in applying Thomism to modern issues.

An Excellent Thomistic Metaphysics Text
W. Norris Clark has provided his reader with a very nice Thomistic metaphysics text. The text covers many of the more important areas of metaphysics such as the one and many issue, the meaning of being, act and potency, substance and accidents, causation (efficient and final), form and matter, and certain problems in metaphysics.

What the reader has here in this one text is a 'one stop' place where a thorough examination of some of the major metaphysical themes can be researched. What is more, many of these issues have been either ignored or simply disregarded in light of current analytic philosophical trends, much to the demise of modern philosophy. However, if you are wanting a good text on the classic and all important issues of metaphyics (since doing philosophy is impossible w/o doing metaphysics), then you will want to get a copy of this text.

Also, for an excellent companion to this volume see Clarke's work "Explorations in Metaphysics." Another great text for those interested in studying metaphysics.