The Metaphysics of Theism: Aquinas's Natural Theology in Summa Contra Gentiles I

This monograph presents a systematic philosophical reconstruction of Thomas Aquinas's natural theology as developed in the first book of Summa Contra Gentiles. Kretzmann undertakes a detailed analysis of Aquinas's arguments for God's existence and attributes, treating them as living philosophy rather than historical artifacts. The work examines how Aquinas constructs a comprehensive metaphysical framework beginning from purely rational premises, without appeal to revealed theology.

Kretzmann's central contribution lies in demonstrating the continuing philosophical viability of Aquinas's project of natural theology. He shows how Aquinas develops a cumulative case for theism through interconnected arguments that move from God's existence to increasingly specific divine attributes. The analysis begins with Aquinas's arguments for a first unmoved mover and proceeds through discussions of God's simplicity, perfection, goodness, infinity, omnipresence, immutability, eternity, and unity. Kretzmann carefully reconstructs each argument, exposing its logical structure while defending it against both historical and contemporary objections.

The work engages critically with modern philosophical skepticism about classical theistic proofs. Kretzmann addresses objections from both analytic philosophy and empiricist critiques, showing how Aquinas's arguments often anticipate and answer modern concerns. He particularly emphasizes how Aquinas's method combines rigorous logical analysis with metaphysical insight, avoiding both naive rationalism and fideistic retreat from reason.

Methodologically, Kretzmann employs the tools of contemporary analytic philosophy to clarify and assess thirteenth-century arguments. This approach allows him to bridge medieval and modern philosophical discourse, making Aquinas's natural theology accessible to contemporary philosophers while respecting its historical context. He demonstrates that Aquinas's arguments depend not on outdated scientific assumptions but on metaphysical principles that remain philosophically defensible.

The monograph's significance extends beyond Thomistic scholarship to contemporary philosophy of religion. By showing that Aquinas's natural theology constitutes a sophisticated and defensible form of philosophical theism, Kretzmann challenges the widespread assumption that classical proofs for God's existence have been definitively refuted. His work revitalizes natural theology as a serious philosophical enterprise, demonstrating that rational arguments for theism deserve continued philosophical attention. The detailed examination of divine attributes also contributes to ongoing debates about the coherence of classical theism and its conception of God.