John Finnis presents a richly-documented critical review of Aquinas's thought on morality, politics, law, and method in social science. Unique in his coverage of both primary and secondary texts and his vigorous argumentation on many themes, the author demonstrates how the philosophy in Aquinas's texts interconnects with theological elements In the FOUNDERS OF MODERN POLITICAL & SOCIAL THOUGHT series,a critical examination of Aquinas' thought on morality,politics,law and method in social science.Finnis focuses on the philosophy in Aquinas' texts and demonstrates how this interconnects with the theological elements. Abbreviations and Conventions xv Life, Learning, Works 1(19) Family and Politics 1(3) The Great Conversation 4(1) Among Mendicants and Professors 5(5) Appealing to Reasons 10(10) Notes 15(5) Subject-Matter and Method 20(36) Beginnings: The Four Types of Order 20(3) Social Theory Considers Groups and their Actions 23(6) Social Theory Understands Acts `by their Objects' 29(6) Social Theory's Account of Co-ordination 35(2) Social Theory can Describe `Internally' 37(3) Social Theory is General because `Practical' 40(2) Social Theory can Describe `Analogically' 42(5) Social Theory can Describe from the Moral `Point of View' 47(9) Notes 51(5) Freedom, Reason, and Human Goods 56(47) Sceptical Doubts 56(2) Self-Refutation of Sceptical Doubting 58(4) Reason and Will: Deliberation and Choice 62(10) Reason's Civil Rule over the Emotions 72(7) The Basic Reasons for Action 79(7) Understanding First Practical Principles 86(4) The Way to Understanding our Nature 90(13) Notes 94(9) Fulfilment and Morality 103(29) Basic Reasons for Action: The Further Questions 103(1) Available Human Fulfilment 104(7) Egoism, Self-Fulfilment, and Common Good 111(7) Further Modes of Reason's Directiveness: General Justice and prudentia 118(5) The Principle and Point of the Moral Ought 123(9) Notes 129(3) Towards Human Rights 132(55) The Point of Justice: Right {ius} and Rights {iura} 132(6) Rights' Foundation: Deducing Specific Moral Norms 138(2) Respecting the Good of Human Life 140(3) Marriage, Sex, fides, and Integrity 143(11) Truth, Assertion, and Authenticity 154(9) `Prudence', `Virtues', and Exceptionless Specific Norms 163(7) Persons as Ends in Themselves: Freedom and Equality 170(6) The Root of Human Dignity: Our Bodies' Formative Principle 176(11) Notes 180(7) Distribution, Exchange, and Recompense 187(32) Justice: Forms or Issues 187(1) Property: Private Right and Social Responsibility 188(8) Contract: Freedom, fides, and Reciprocal Benefit 196(4) Commerce, Capital, and Credit 200(10) Compensation and Punishment 210(9) Notes 215(4) The State: Its Elements and Purposes 219(36) `Complete Communities': State's with Law 219(3) The State's Specific Common Good: Public and Limited 222(6) De Regno: For Heavenly Fulfilment or Public Good 228(4) The Virtue Required for Peace and Just Order 232(2) Specifically Distinct Responsibilities for Common Good 234(5) The State's Elements, Private and Public 239(6) Law and Government as Supplements 245(10) Notes 252(3) The State: Its Government and Law 255(20) Law as Primary Proper Means of Co-ordinating Civil Society 255(3) Government: Limited and Ruling by Law 258(8) Just and Unjust Laws: Authority and Obligation 266(9) Notes 274(1) The Power of the Sword 275(19) Private Defence of Self and Others 275(4) Public Defence of Justice: Capital Punishment 279(5) Public Defence of Justice: War 284(3) Defence of Self and Justice: Tyrannicide 287(7) Notes 291(3) On our Origin and End 294(41) Beyond Practical Reasoning 294(4) Towards Explanation 298(6) God's Providence, Law, and Choice 304(8) On the Point of Human Existence and Action 312(8) Revelation as Public Reasons: Church and States 320(7) Complete Fulfilment of Individuals in Society 327(8) Notes 332(3) References 335(6) Index Locorum 341(20) General Index 361