Frederick D. Wilhelmsen's Being and Knowing, rooted in the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, rests on two basic assertions: first, metaphysics is the science of being in its first and ultimate act, existence (the act by which all things manifest themselves); second, that existence is known not through observing objects, but in affirming through judgments that these objects are subjects of existence.

The chapters of this book explore these Thomistic doctrines. Some explain St. Thomas Aquinas's philosophy of being. Others probe his epistemology. The complexity and density of Aquinas's theory of judgment (that truth is realized in the judgment of man), emphasized throughout most of the book, point not only to a deeper understanding of the nature of metaphysics, but they open doors to the clarification of philosophical issues germane to contemporary thought.

This work addresses a number of metaphysical philosophical paradoxes. Wilhelmsen's exploration of them demonstrates why he was the preeminent American scholar of the Thomistic tradition. This volume is part of Transaction's series, the Library of Conservative Thought.

About the Author
Frederick D. Wilhelmsen (1923-1996) was a prominent Catholic philosopher, lecturer, and professor. Among his noted works are The Paradoxical Structure of Existence and Christianity and Political Philosophy. William Marshner is professor of theology at Christendom College, USA.


Book Information
ISBN 9781412862592
Author Frederick D. Wilhelmsen
Format Paperback
Page Count 227
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 272g