Elementary Christian Metaphysics

Joseph Owens (1908–2005) taught philosophy at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies and the University of Toronto for forty years. He is the author of a number of books, including An Interpretation of Existence, also published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

"Irrespective of one's intellectual genotype, an exposure to the sustained, developmental elucidation of Aquinas' insights executed by an author such as Owens can only enhance any metaphysical approach to reality." —The New Scholastic"An Elementary Christian Metaphysics is intended primarily for undergraduate students as an introduction to metaphysics. . . . The scope of the metaphysical study pursued by Owens includes not only a general investigation of beings but also an analysis of knowledge (epistemology) and of the divine nature, all in light of natural reason." —Studies in Religion"In carrying out the project, Owens moves through four parts: (1) Being (i.e., existence), (2) Essence, (3) Knowledge, and (4) Spirit. The whole thing is beautifully ordered and closely reasoned. The footnotes offer opportunities for further exploration over wide ranges of the philosophical tradition." —Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review"Anyone familiar with Father Joseph Owens's scholarly treatment of philosophical issues will enthusiastically rejoice at the appearance of this latest addition..." —The Modern Schoolman"Fr. Owens has already established himself as a towering figure in the area of philosophical endeavor. Thos who have been inspired by the many insights scattered throughout his numerous published articles will gratefully hail the appearance of this metaphysics book." —Thomas C. O'Brien, O.P., author of Metaphysics and the Existence of God"A densely-packed and comprehensive textbook of scholastic metaphysics. Metaphysics is understood as including "not only a general investigation of beings but also the study of knowledge and of the divine nature and attributes in the light of natural reason." Owens brings to this task the Gilsonian understanding of a Christian philosophy, his own considerable knowledge of Aristotle, Aquinas and scholastic philosophy generally, and a conviction that metaphysics is a knowledge of the universe and the things within it, founded on necessary principles. Though intended as a college text, Owens' work might be better taken as a standard reference manual, much like the classic Latin text of Gredt. —The Review of Metaphysics