Chapter 3 - The Aristotelian Revolution Summary and Analysis

This chapter details St. Thomas' role in bringing the philosophy of Aristotle into the mainstream of Catholic thought and in resisting the challenges brought against it. It begins with an account of St. Albert the Great, St. Thomas' teacher, who was the first to start seriously studying Aristotle. Chesterton then gives the story about how St. Albert recognized the talent in the young St. Thomas who continued to progress in his education and understanding. St. Thomas' first "breakthrough" was his defense of the "mendicant orders"-orders like the Dominicans and Franciscans who lived only off the alms given to them voluntarily. However, that was only the beginning of his work. His main life's work was reconciling Aristotle with Catholicism against the objections of the Augustinians—that is, those who followed the philosophy...