Publisher's Synopsis
The separate or intellectual substances are the human soul and the angels. We will deal with the latter in this volume, and with the former in the next. The importance of angels in Thomistic metaphysics deserves to be emphasized. Aquinas devoted many reflections to these creatures. It is true that they appear alongside theological considerations. The latter do not interest us. For the time being. We have emphasized this in the book by sticking strictly and exclusively to the metaphysical aspect of the subject. Angels occupy an intermediate place between God and man. It is fascinating to discover their characteristics, the reasons for their creation, their hierarchy, their existence and the purpose of their actions. Also, the seriousness with which St. Thomas studied them and his intelligence in departing from the common theories that angels were responsible for the movement of the stars. He cites these Aristotelian speculations, always taking care to mention their origin and refraining from endorsing them. Centuries have passed and Aquinas continues to amaze us with the clarity of his intellect and the power of his conclusions. The volume I am presenting consists of an Introduction and thirteen chapters. Namely: 1-The origin of angels. 2-The substance of angels. 3-The species of angels. 4-The number of angels. 5-The angels and the place. 6-The angels and the movement. 7-Knowledge in the angels (1). 8-Knowledge in the angels (2). 9-Knowledge in the angels: summary (3). 10-The will of the angels. 11-Angels and divine providence. 12-The angelic hierarchy. 13-The angels and man. Finally, an Epilogue, in which I try to condense the entire content of the work by the method of questions and answers. The conclusion of this book has awakened in me the desire to write a specific comprehensive (metaphysical and theological) treatise on angels, which, God willing, I will undertake in the future.
