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Since his death seven centuries ago, the importance of Thomas Aquinas for Christian thought and for Western civilization in general has continued to be acknowledged by many. While scores of brilliant thinkers of the ancient and medieval world have plunged into obscurity, Thomas' concepts have come to constitute the pillar of the philosophy and theology of the Christian church and thus are very much alive today. The question naturally arises: what is their importance for psychiatry and psychology?
It would be logical to think that a perusal of his life and personality should throw some light on his concepts.1 In his case, however, nothing is further from the truth; moreover, his life appeared marked by distinct contradictions and even paradoxes. Accepting the fact that his life had little relevance to his philosophy, then would his writings—thirty in-folio volumes, an almost unbelievable accomplishment—be more revealing? They not only are not, but they are even more astonishing and puzzling.
Now, what is most amazing is that there is no trace whatsoever in his numerous writings of any reference to the vicissitudes of his life and to the influence of the political and religious struggles on him.2 His writings are always serene, almost atemporal, an aspect which may contribute to their unrelenting freshness even today. Perhaps the fact that he was born of a noble family contributed to give