The
Summa Theologiae (written 1265–1274 and also known as the
Summa Theologica or simply the
Summa) is the best-known work of
Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–1274). Although unfinished, the
Summa is "one of the classics of the history of philosophy and one of the most influential works of Western literature." It was intended as an instructional guide for theology students, including seminarians and the literate laity. It was a compendium of all of the main
theological teachings of the
Catholic Church. It presents the reasoning for almost all points of Christian theology in the West. The
Summa's topics follow a cycle: the
existence of God; Creation, Man;
Man's purpose;
Christ; the
Sacraments; and back to God.