CreationAquinas and the nature of humans

Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas was a Catholic priest, philosopher and theologian who lived from c.1225-1274. He is considered to be one of the greatest theologians in the Church’s history. His greatest work, Summa Theologica influenced, and still influences, the Catholic Church today.

Summa Theologica is a foundation and guide to the main theological teachings of the Catholic Church. It is seen as the foundation for many of the Church’s doctrines and teachings today.

Aquinas believed that human nature is essentially good, and that all humans are oriented towards perfection and good acts.

Thomas Aquinas believed that:

• humans do not have a natural tendency to commit evil or sinful acts
• instead, any wrong or sinful acts that may be carried out are due to mistaking a wrong act for a right act
• when the wrong act is chosen it is due to a fault in the reasoning of the individual
• just because an action may seem like the right one doesn’t necessarily mean that it is
• any action that jeopardises humans' relationship with God is a wrong action