The Summa Theologiae ranks among the greatest documents of the Christian Church, and is a landmark of medieval western thought. It provides the framework for Catholic studies in systematic theology and for a classical Christian philosophy, and is regularly consulted by scholars of all faiths and none, across a range of academic disciplines. This paperback reissue of the classic Latin/English edition first published by the English Dominicans in the 1960s and 1970s, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, has been undertaken in response to regular requests from readers and librarians around the world for the entire series of 61 volumes to be made available again. The original text is unchanged, except for the correction of a small number of typographical errors.

The Summa Theologiae ranks among the greatest documents of the Christian Church. It provides the framework for Catholic studies in systematic theology and for a classical Christian philosophy. The purpose, then, of this edition is not narrowly ecclesiastical, but to share with all Christians this treasury of wisdom which is part of their common heritage. Moreover, it consults the interests of many who, without claiming to be believers, appreciate a religious integrity which embodies hardbitten rationalism and who recognise in St Thomas a master of that perennial philosophy which, though not confined to the West, is the foundation on which our civilisation is built. Because of this the editors worked under specific instructions to bear in mind not only the professional theologian, but also the general reader with an interest in the 'reason' in Christianity. The publication of the Latin text along with the English will be reassuring to readers with a smattering of Latin, and has the advantages of permitting the translator somewhat more freedom in adapting the text in translation to the understanding of contemporary minds.