The influence of Aristotle on Thomas Aquinas is evident from the fact that Thomas gave - had to give - knowledge gained by human reason quite a different value from what was usual in the theological tradition. There was no disputing the fact that reason has its own independence against faith. The new desire for knowledge, for science, had to be taken seriously. Earlier theologians had proved the justification for reason alongside faith. But, as he shows in the introductions to his two Summas, 'Thomas felt compelled to prove the justification for faith alongside reason (rationem fidei)…
