Thomist Realism and the Linguistic Turn

The discussions in this book use careful exegesis and analysis of contemporary philosophical issues, aiming to close the gap between the philosophical camps of realism and idealism. The book includes a treatment of Aquinas's epistemology.

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Philosophers of all sorts will be richly rewarded by reading John O'Callaghan's new book, Thomist Realism and the Linguistic Turn. Based on his broad knowledge of Aristotle and Aquinas, O'Callaghan provides not only an excellent treatment of Aquinas's epistemology but also a superb demonstration of just how Aquinas might contribute to contemporary debates. The camps of realism and idealism fiercely engaged one another in the field of epistemology for a long time. Thomists participated in confronting idealism from their unique realist position. Post-Wittgenstein, the conflict has been dominated by that form of epistemology that grounds all knowledge in linguistic practice. Since Thomists work in a textual and historical mode, their response to the technical approach of analytic philosophy in which most of the linguistic epistemologists write has been slow in coming. That is, until John O'Callaghan. O'Callaghan expertly closes that gap by successfully bringing together these fields. His impressive discussions use careful exegesis and analysis of contemporary philosophical issues, including an outstanding section on the historical origins of mental representationalism and the importance of understanding that history for anyone involved in the ongoing debates. The strengths of this volume are many and its contribution is important. No philosophic library, personal or institutional, should be without it.