Introduction

The influence of St Thomas Aquinas’ theological and philosophical thought is immense; few have had as profound an impact on the theology and practice of Western Christianity in the past 1,000 years, and he occupies a secure place in the philosophical pantheon with Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes. Nonetheless, significant dimensions of Aquinas’ intellectual achievements have yet to receive due consideration. The present volume contributes to several under-explored areas in contemporary Thomistic scholarship, and takes as its focus the relation between Aquinas and Eastern thought, specifically in regard to education. What can Aquinas teach us about the theory and practice of education? How do his views relate to the great traditions and thinkers of the East? This volume of new essays is thus an overture (and hopefully a catalyst) to further reflection and studies on these themes.