ABC of Scholastic Philosophy

ABC of Scholastic Philosophy by A. C. Cotter, S.J. is a concise yet profound introduction to the classical system of thought that shaped centuries of Western intellectual life — the philosophy of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Written with clarity, order, and a deep reverence for truth, this volume distills the essence of Scholasticism into a practical guide designed for students, teachers, and seekers of sound reasoning.

Cotter's goal is both pedagogical and philosophical: to make the principles of Scholastic thought accessible to the modern mind without sacrificing rigor. In a series of carefully structured chapters, he introduces the reader to logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and natural theology — always grounding abstract concepts in clear examples and methodical reasoning. The book's "ABC" structure mirrors the very discipline it teaches: orderly, systematic, and aimed at forming the intellect as well as informing it.

Yet ABC of Scholastic Philosophy is far from dry instruction. Cotter writes with the conviction that truth is not merely to be analyzed but lived — that philosophy serves faith by illuminating reality and strengthening the moral life. Rooted in the Thomistic tradition, his text reveals how classical reason and Christian revelation can coexist in harmony, offering the modern reader a way to think clearly in an age of confusion.

 For those seeking intellectual grounding, moral clarity, or a disciplined approach to thought itself, ABC of Scholastic Philosophy remains a timeless primer — an enduring guide to the art of reasoning well and the pursuit of wisdom. 

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ABC of Scholastic Philosophy

ABC of Scholastic Philosophy by A. C. Cotter, S.J. is a concise yet profound introduction to the classical system of thought that shaped centuries of Western intellectual life — the philosophy of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Written with clarity, order, and a deep reverence for truth, this volume distills the essence of Scholasticism into a practical guide designed for students, teachers, and seekers of sound reasoning.

Cotter's goal is both pedagogical and philosophical: to make the principles of Scholastic thought accessible to the modern mind without sacrificing rigor. In a series of carefully structured chapters, he introduces the reader to logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and natural theology — always grounding abstract concepts in clear examples and methodical reasoning. The book's "ABC" structure mirrors the very discipline it teaches: orderly, systematic, and aimed at forming the intellect as well as informing it.

Yet ABC of Scholastic Philosophy is far from dry instruction. Cotter writes with the conviction that truth is not merely to be analyzed but lived — that philosophy serves faith by illuminating reality and strengthening the moral life. Rooted in the Thomistic tradition, his text reveals how classical reason and Christian revelation can coexist in harmony, offering the modern reader a way to think clearly in an age of confusion.

 For those seeking intellectual grounding, moral clarity, or a disciplined approach to thought itself, ABC of Scholastic Philosophy remains a timeless primer — an enduring guide to the art of reasoning well and the pursuit of wisdom. 

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ABC of Scholastic Philosophy

ABC of Scholastic Philosophy

by A C Cotter
ABC of Scholastic Philosophy
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ABC of Scholastic Philosophy

ABC of Scholastic Philosophy

by A C Cotter

Overview

ABC of Scholastic Philosophy by A. C. Cotter, S.J. is a concise yet profound introduction to the classical system of thought that shaped centuries of Western intellectual life — the philosophy of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Written with clarity, order, and a deep reverence for truth, this volume distills the essence of Scholasticism into a practical guide designed for students, teachers, and seekers of sound reasoning.

Cotter's goal is both pedagogical and philosophical: to make the principles of Scholastic thought accessible to the modern mind without sacrificing rigor. In a series of carefully structured chapters, he introduces the reader to logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and natural theology — always grounding abstract concepts in clear examples and methodical reasoning. The book's "ABC" structure mirrors the very discipline it teaches: orderly, systematic, and aimed at forming the intellect as well as informing it.

Yet ABC of Scholastic Philosophy is far from dry instruction. Cotter writes with the conviction that truth is not merely to be analyzed but lived — that philosophy serves faith by illuminating reality and strengthening the moral life. Rooted in the Thomistic tradition, his text reveals how classical reason and Christian revelation can coexist in harmony, offering the modern reader a way to think clearly in an age of confusion.

 For those seeking intellectual grounding, moral clarity, or a disciplined approach to thought itself, ABC of Scholastic Philosophy remains a timeless primer — an enduring guide to the art of reasoning well and the pursuit of wisdom. 

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781779794239
Publisher: Bonhopai Books
Publication date: 11/06/2025
Sold by: Bookwire
Format: eBook
Pages: 440
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

 Rev. A. C. Cotter, S.J. was an American Jesuit priest, philosopher, and educator whose writings made the rigors of Scholastic thought accessible to twentieth-century students. Trained in the Thomistic tradition, Cotter taught philosophy for many years at Jesuit colleges in the United States, earning a reputation for clarity, precision, and devotion to intellectual formation. His ABC of Scholastic Philosophy and related texts, including ABC of Logic and ABC of Apologetics, became standard introductions in Catholic seminaries and universities, reflecting his rare gift for explaining complex ideas with simplicity and conviction. Deeply committed to the unity of faith and reason, Cotter believed that disciplined thought was both an act of worship and a means to moral strength. His legacy endures in the generations of students who discovered, through his work, the enduring light of the Scholastic method — a harmony of intellect, truth, and faith. 

Table of Contents

Introduction to Philosophy

A Philosophy 3

B Scholastic Philosophy 18

C Beginning of Philosophy 35

Logic

Introduction 43

Part 1 The Term 46

I Ideas 47

II Terms 51

Part 2 The Proposition 56

Chap. 1 The Categorical Proposition 58

I Definition 58

II Divisions 60

Chap. 2 The Hypothetical Proposition 63

I Definition 63

II Divisions 63

Part 3 Reasoning 65

Chap. 1 Immediate Inference 66

Chap. 2 The Syllogism 71

Chap. 3 Induction 82

Chap. 4 The Cumulative Argument 87

Chap. 5 Statistics 89

Part 4 Method 91

Chap. 1 The System 92

Chap. 2 Systematic Operations of the Mind 97

App. 1 Fallacies 107

App. 2 Exercises 110

Epistemology

Introduction 123

Preliminary Notions 125

Part 1 Existence of Certitude 129

Part 2 Sources of Certitude 142

Chap. 1 The Faculties in General 143

Chap. 2 The Single Faculties 151

I Consciousness 151

II The External Senses 161

III Intellect 178

IV Reason 201

V Human Testimony 211

Part 3 Nature of Certitude 229

Chap. 1 Ultimate Motive of Formal Certitude 230

Chap. 2 Divisions of Formal Certitude 245

Chap. 3 Opinion and Probability 263

Part 4 Truth and Error 265

Chap. 1 Definitions 265

Chap. 2 Possession of Truth 269

Chap. 3 Criterion of Truth 272

Chap. 4 Degrees of Truth and Error 275

Chap. 5 Causes of Error 276

Ontology

Introduction 289

Part 1 Being 294

Chap. 1 Being as Such 295

Chap. 2 Our Concept of Being 304

Chap. 3 Possibles 314

Chap. 4 Change 318

Chap. 5 Act and Potency 323

Part 2 Attributes of Being 328

Chap. 1 Unity 329

Chap. 2 Truth 340

Chap. 3 Goodness 343

Chap. 4 Order 352

Part 3 Categories of Being 354

Chap. 1 Substance and Accident 357

Chap. 2 Notions Related to Substance 372

Chap. 3 Relation 380

Part 4 Causes of Being 385

Chap. 1 Notions and Principles 386

Chap. 2 Efficient Cause 392

Chap. 3 Final Cause 400

Bibliography 406

Alphabetical Index 410

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