Philosophy for the Layman - Aegidius Doolan, OP, STM

Originally published in 1946, Philosophy for the Layman is an excellent introduction to the philosophical teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, which highlights the fact that every human person is created for the truth. As man grows in knowledge of himself and the world around him, he is led to a growing awareness of the Ultimate Truth, God Himself, who is his supreme good and happiness.

St. Thomas Aquinas has been held up by the Church for centuries as an excellent teacher whose works should not only be studied, but whose life should also be imitated. When Pope Pius V declared him Doctor of the Church he said that Thomas was “the most brilliant light of the Church.” Fr. Aegidius Doolan makes the perennial teachings of this great master accessible and understandable. This book is a practical tool for anyone searching for truth and meaning in today’s relativistic society.

 In [Philosophy for the Layman], Fr. Doolan translates the vocabulary, parses the grammar, and rehearses the arguments so that you can arrive at the heights and enter into conversation with St. Thomas himself. Fr. Doolan was a great student of St. Thomas with a gift for teaching. That gift shines through on every page of this book with brilliant clarity, exceptional patience, and keen sensitivity for the student’s needs. With Fr. Doolan as a guide, you are sure to advance steadily on the path ahead.

—From the Introduction by Gregory Pine, OP

About the Author: Father Aegidius Doolan, OP, STM (1900-1970) was a Master of Sacred Theology of the Dominican Order. He was a priest of the Irish Province and served for many years as Regent of Studies. In his work as teacher, preacher, and father of souls, Father Aegidius recognized the capacity of ordinary people to understand and benefit from the basic principles of philosophy as taught by Thomas Aquinas. The last years of his life were spent as a missionary in Kenya.