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Summa Theologica Part I (Prima Pars)
- Narrated by: Martyn Swain
- Length: 52 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
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Summary
The Summa Theologica, by Thomas Aquinas, is a fundamental text in Catholic doctrine, a compendium of theology that has been studied and debated since its first publication in the 13th century. Furthermore, it has been widely regarded as one of the classics of Western philosophy, not least because, perhaps for the first time in such a systematic manner, it set out to consider the views of non-Christian figures such as Aristotle, Boethius, Muslim writers including Averroes (Ibn Rushd) and Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and the Sephardic Jewish scholar Maimonides.
The work proved a major influence on Dante when he came to write the Divine Comedy and continues to be studied in most of the major Christian traditions. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian-born Dominican Friar, wrote the Summa Theologica between 1265 and 1274 - it was unfinished at his death. He set out to provide a basic introduction to students, but the scope and detail goes far further than that. It is a huge work, approaching two million words in total. It is divided formally into three parts, though the third was completed after his death by incorporating earlier writings. The three main sections are generally further subdivided, and this is reflected in the Ukemi recording.
This opening recording contains the First Part (Prima Pars). It will be followed by Second Part (Prima Secundae - the first part of Part II); then Second Part (Secundae Secundae - the second part of Part II); and finally Part III.
Aquinas ordered his work in a clear and regular pattern. He starts with a Question, divides the Question into a number of ‘Articles’, and within each Article he enters into a debate, offering Objections and Replies to the Objections. Part I (Prima Pars) has 119 Questions and 584 Articles and is essentially devoted to God’s existence and nature. The first Question is ‘The Nature and Extent of Sacred Doctrine’. The second Question (widely read and discussed) is ‘The Existence of God’, which includes his proposal of ‘the five ways’ proving the existence of God. First Part is further divided into sections: Treatise on the Creation, Treatise on the Angels, Treatise on the Work of the Six Days, Treatise on Man, Treatise on the Divine Government. The final Question in the First Part is ‘Of the Propagation of Man as to the Body’.
The translation used has been formally attributed to Fathers of the English Dominican Province, though it is generally accepted it was the work of one man, Father Laurence Shapcote. It is read with clarity and fluency by Martyn Swain.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What listeners say about Summa Theologica Part I (Prima Pars)
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- platosdunce
- 01-08-20
It's the Summa
This isn't concerned with the book itself, which is a classic text, and a pure delight to investigate. This review is to give a big thank you to Audible and Ukemi for producing such a good quality recording of one of the great texts of Mediaeval Christianity,
Martyn Swain reads excellently, his enunciation is unfalteringly clear and the reality that Aquinas is a lot easier to understand (as befits a great teacher) than those who 'explain' him is manifest. I look forward to the second part and the hope they might also do Summa Contra Gentiles as well, another classic by Aquinas.
10 people found this helpful
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- MMM
- 13-04-21
Immense, Epic, Aquinas the Great
Perhaps he should be called St Thomas Aquinas the Great because you can't surpass this incredible work. The performance by the reader is spotless and he reads with understanding. You'll pick up so much. Not for the faint hearted. I recommend listening to a little a day often. You'll soon plough through. What a work.
4 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 28-12-20
Part 1. Q13. Art 6-9 repeated. 9-13 absent.
Part 1. Q13. Articles 6-9 are repeated, while Articles 9 to 13 are absent. This is clearly a production error and needs to be fixed.
Apart from this, the text is beautifully read and clear.
3 people found this helpful
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- A reader
- 07-02-21
Phenomenal
Incredible performance by Swain of the first part of one of the the greatest theological texts of all time. The nuance and complexity of Aquinas' structure and argument is handled amazingly by the narrator.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-06-20
Love it
St Thomas Aquinas one of the greatest minds of all time!!! Truly amazing. This is an excellent option to go through the Summa particularly for those who are not apt to sit and read it. Listening gives a new dimension. And it is beautifully read.
25 people found this helpful
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- truebalance2010
- 28-04-21
A great way to get the Summa!
The Summa, although for “beginners,” is daunting because of its sheer size. In fact, I’m relatively sure that’s why many don’t attempt it. Not that they don’t want to, but they can’t afford the time to sit and read it page by page. Audible has solved the problem. With the impeccable narration of Martyn Swain (God bless him!), the Summa is now possible, and with it, communion with one of the greatest minds of all time. Bravo Audible! Bravo Mr. Swain!
9 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-01-21
Most important writing besides Bible.
In central Catholic studies. Amazing reading. Talented voice of narrator. An adequate translation for most.
8 people found this helpful
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- mbarnar
- 14-02-21
no audio
I've been trying to listen for months. every time I load it up no audio.
5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 26-09-21
there's no audio. literally no sound.
There's nothing in this. I played, skipped ahead several chapters, everything you can think of. All my other audio books work just fine - this one has no audio.
1 person found this helpful