On Universals: An Exposition of Thomistic Doctrine: Large Print Edition
Dering, Edward Heneage ; Liberatore Sj, Matteo
Synopsis "On Universals: An Exposition of Thomistic Doctrine: Large Print Edition"
TO THE READER MONSIGNOR X undertook to defend in many volumes, under the title of Universals, the philosophical doctrine of Rosmini, and laboured expressly to show, not only that it is true and orthodox, but also that it agrees perfectly with the teaching of St. Thomas of Aquin. We, choosing the same title of Universals, undertook to refute in seven Opuscula his defence of its truth, its orthodoxy and its accordance with St. Thomas' teaching. Therefore this work of ours is substantially nothing else than a refutation of the Rosminian system. Another refutation of that system, by Count Avogadro della Motta, was published in 1852. It is profound and complete: but its very learned author could not then have at hand the five volumes of Rosmini's Teosofia, which was a posthumous work; nor could he anticipate the sophistries and cavillings by which Monsignor X has sought to justify the Rosminian theories. In that respect therefore our treatise has a great advantage over that of the distinguished Piedmontese. Moreover, the necessity of showing that the Rosminian theories are in irreconcilable opposition to the doctrine of St. Thomas has led me to make sufficiently evident the holy Doctor's teaching on some of the most important points of Philosophy and Theology. Many people have expressed a wish that I should publish these seven Opuscula in one Book, to serve as a guide for those who, having neither time nor inclination to study the many and voluminous works of Rosmini, would like nevertheless to know what his principal errors are. But having already published them separately, I could not comply with this desire otherwise than by having them bound up together in a volume, with a general index prefixed thereto. This little work of mine has cost me no slight labour and weariness in handling the tangled web that I had to unravel. I trust that it will help to open the eyes of many to the dangers of a doctrine which ut cancer serpit, and which perhaps will, sooner or later, give serious trouble to the Church of God. When, six lustres ago, emboldened by a fleeting triumph, it considered itself to be for ever free from assault, I began to attack it; and I might almost say that I have continued to do so without intermission, not only in the Civiltà Cattolica, but also in separate works. I now thank God that in my old age I am obliged again to break a lance against it. M. LIBERATORE, S.J. Rome, Feb. 24, 1885
