Aquinas Aristotle and the Promise of the Common Good

Aquinas Aristotle and the Promise of the Common Good claims that contemporary theory and practice have much to gain from engaging Aquinass normative concept of the common good and his way of reconciling religion philosophy and politics. Examining the relationship between personal and common goods and the relation of virtue and law to both Mary M. Keys shows why Aquinas should be read in addition to Aristotle on these perennial questions. She focuses on Aquinass Commentaries as mediating statements between Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics and Politics and Aquinass own Summa Theologiae showing how this serves as the missing link for grasping Aquinass understanding of Aristotles thought in relation to Aquinass own considered views. Keys argues provocatively that Aquinass Christian faith opens up new panoramas and possibilities for philosophical inquiry and insights into ethics and politics. Her book shows how religious faith can assist sound philosophical inquiry into the foundation and proper purposes of society and politics.