ACPA 2024

An expanded version of the translator’s Anselm: The Basic Writings, The Complete Treatises incorporates new translations of works omitted from that volume (most notably, De grammatico) in addition to selected letters and prayers of philosophical interest. The only such collection translated by a single hand and rendered with attention to terminological consistency across the treatises, it’s the ideal choice for use by students of philosophy and theology. 

Drawn from a wide range of writings and featuring state-of-the-art translations, Basic Works offers convenient access to Thomas Aquinas' most important discussions of nature, being and essence, divine and human nature, and ethics and human action. The translations all capture Aquinas's sharp, transparent style and display terminological consistency. Many were originally published in the acclaimed translation-cum-commentary series The Hackett Aquinas, edited by Robert Pasnau and Jeffrey Hause. Others appear here for the first time: Eleonore Stump and Stephen Chanderbahn’s translation of On the Principles of Nature, Peter King’s translation of On Being and Essence, and Thomas Williams’ translations of the treatises On Happiness and On Human Acts from the Summa theologiae.

"Even those already familiar with Aristotle may be surprised to learn that discussions of theological topics can be found in so many of his works. Reeve's idea of packaging these texts sequentially along with commentary and notes is brilliant. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in Aristotle's theology."
—S. Marc Cohen, Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, University of Washington

“Based on comprehensive knowledge of the Aristotelian corpus, Reeve’s book is a transformative addition to the literature.”
—David Sedley, Emeritus Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy, University of Cambridge

"The best overall translation of Augustine's Confessions to date. . . . Williams captures the immediacy of Augustine's prayer, the playfulness of his language, and (without striving too hard) the properly elevated poetry of the text. As priest and philosopher and an Anglican with a good sense of English, Williams understands Augustine from the inside. For the foreseeable future, this will be my go-to translation for the Confessions."
—Jared Ortiz, Hope College, in Catholic World Report

"Hause and Murphy are to be congratulated. [Their volume's] strong points are numerous and important. The translation is clear and faithful. A real advantage is using the as yet unpublished Leonine text, which is significantly superior to the Marietti edition. The translators retain the disputed question format. And the whole series is translated. Hause offers an extend commentary which is solid and helpful for beginning readers. . . . Even for Aquinas, who semper loquitur formalissime, first rate translations are hard to come by; and we have one here. . . . A gem."
     —R. E. Houser, University of St. Thomas (Houston, TX), in Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"Faithful to the original Danish text and eminently readable, Jech's translation of Fear and Trembling admirably communicates the literary qualities of Kierkegaard's text, as well as his occasional fits of inspiration. Jech displays an unusual sensitivity not only to the literary/linguistic qualities of Kierkegaard’s prose, but also to his (often realized) aspirations to philosophical precision. As presented by Jech, Kierkegaard is not simply a gifted writer and speculative theologian dabbling in philosophy, but a philosopher concerned to limn the optimal role of philosophical reflection, and to do so experimentally, especially with respect to matters of morality and faith. The translation is furthermore supplemented by very helpful explanatory notes that convey Kierkegaard’s own erudition and the multiple influences upon his thinking. The Historical Glossary will become a valuable reference tool for students and scholars of Kierkegaard’s writings. It is likely to play a welcome role in encouraging an improved understanding of what Kierkegaard means when he employs his idiosyncratic categories, allusions, and vocabulary." —Daniel Conway, Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Texas A&M University

The fifth volume of The Hackett Aquinas, a series of central philosophical treatises of Aquinas in new, state-of-the-art translations accompanied by a thorough commentary on the text.

“Pasnau’s fine translation renders Aquinas’ Latin into contemporary English prose that avoids, as much as possible, scholastic as well as contemporary jargon. The translation is precise, but technical only when it has to be, and should give readers a very good sense for what Aquinas was trying to accomplish. The commentary will be exceptionally useful to readers at all levels. Those unfamiliar with Aquinas will find helpful introductions and guides, while even scholars will find useful hints and convincing corrections of time-honored mistakes.”
     —Jeffrey Hause, Creighton University

"Fr Shanley's translation is clear, idiomatic, and accurate.  A particular virtue of the translation is that it frequently indicates along the way which Latin terms are being rendered into English as Fr Shanley renders them. This kind of flagging will help readers to get a better sense of what Aquinas is saying than they might otherwise do. . . . [The] commentary is lucid, well informed, clearly written, and, given its word count, very comprehensive. Fr Shanley homes in on just what one would look for in a volume like the present. Hence we find him explaining Aquinas's technical terms and showing how bits of Summa Theologiae I, 1-13 connect with each other.  He also relates Aquinas to previous and contemporary thinkers with whom Aquinas is engaging. The end product is something that can be warmly recommended to anyone looking for what Fr Shanley has tried to provide."
     –Brian Davies, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

In late 1633, as Descartes was preparing The World and Man for publication, he learned that Galileo had been condemned by the Catholic Church for defending the motion of the earth. His reaction to the news was swift and powerful: as his own treatises also espoused the proposition deemed heretical, he canceled their publication. More than thirty years after Descartes had begun his project, these works were finally published, posthumously, both to acclaim and to controversy. Together, they profoundly influenced the course of modern philosophy.

Seeking what he describes as "the utmost limit of the knowledge our natural reason can achieve . . . concerning the True Existence [that is God]," John Duns Scotus (1265–1308) offers in this treatise one of philosophy’s most rigorous and ambitious attempts to deduce God’s existence from purely metaphysical theorems. As elucidated by its concise philosophical commentary, Thomas M. Ward's new translation of the Treatise on the First Principle puts a masterpiece of natural theology within reach of a new generation of English-reading students of philosophy.

"A very useful volume. The translation is clear, faithful, and eminently readable. The commentary hits exactly the right level. The writing is very clear; the difficulties are not shirked but instead carefully faced, and as an aid to study and comprehension of the text (which is a difficult one) it should be extremely valuable."
—Thomas Williams, Isabelle A. and Henry D. Martin Professor of Medieval Philosophy, Georgetown University