This paper contrasts and compares the thoughts and philosophies of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. Aristotle is an ancient Greek philosopher who lived between 384 BC and 322 BC (Barnes, 2000, p.1). He was a student of Plato and is credited for creating the first comprehensive system of western philosophy (Barnes, 2000, p.3). His writings were on different issues spanning from metaphysics, morality, poetry, aesthetics, and politics to science and logic (Barnes, 2000, p.5). He has had great influence on western thought and much moral, logical and metaphysical writings across history is based on or influenced by his great postulates.
St. Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225 in the Kingdom of Sicily (Copleston, 1999, p.380). He was from a noble family and one of his uncles was already an abbot. It was his mother who dedicated him to service in the church. It is suspected that he was introduced to the writings of Aristotle while studying at Studium Generale in Naples (Copleston, 1999, p.381). He joined the Dominican order at the age of 19. He did his masters in theology in Paris in 1252 (Copleston, 1999, p.381). His work as a lecturer exposed him to many questions to which he formulated answers. His book summa theological among other writing led to his being elevated to the coveted position of “teacher of the church” by the first Vatican council (Copleston, 1999, 384).
Metaphysics refers to reality beyond physical reality. This phrase first finds usage for Aristotle work. Having considered all possible under physics or issues in the physical realm, he engaged his efforts in the understanding of things beyond physics (the physical reality). The subject matter of metaphysics is thus definitively non material (Barnes, 2000, 65). According to Aristotle, the subject matter of metaphysics is not individual beings but rather the being of beings. The study of beings per se or being of beings is possible because beyond the world of flux that is material...