Brian Davies (philosopher)


Brian Evan Anthony Davies is a British philosopher, Roman Catholic priest, and friar. He is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University since 1995. His An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion is in its fourth English edition and has been translated into five languages.

Education

Brian Davies studied theology at the University of Bristol and undertook graduate studies at King's College London.

Teaching

He spent the period 1982–95 at the University of Oxford. Throughout those years he was a lecturer in theology and philosophy at Blackfriars, Oxford. Davies was also Tutor in Theology, St Benet's Hall and a member of the Faculty of Theology ; Regent of Studies of the English Dominican Province ; University Research Lecturer ; and member of the Sub-Faculty of Philosophy.
In 1994 Davies was appointed Regent of Blackfriars and, as a Head of House, received the degree of Master of Arts by Special Decree by the University of Oxford. In 1995 he took up his current appointment at Fordham University. He held Visiting Professorships at the Beda College, Rome, Fordham University, and Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Problem of evil

Davies takes influence from Thomas Aquinas and is a proponent of classical theism. To solve the problem of evil, Davies has argued that God is not a created person or moral agent and is therefore not responsible for evil in the way that creatures are. God the creator and sustainer of the universe is not existent among others so cannot be expected to conform to moral standards external to himself. In 2008, Davies stated:

Notable writings and editorial work

;As author
He has also contributed:
;As editor
  • Language, Meaning and God: Essays in honour of Herbert McCabe O.P.
  • With G.R. Evans, Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works
  • Philosophy of Religion: A Guide to the Subject
  • Philosophy of Religion: A Guide and Anthology
  • The De Malo of Thomas Aquinas
  • Thomas Aquinas: Contemporary Philosophical Perspectives
  • With Brian Leftow, The Cambridge Companion to Anselm
  • Aquinas's “Summa Theologiae”: Critical Essays
  • With Brian Leftow, Aquinas: “Summa Theologiae”, Questions on God
  • With Eleonore Stump, The Oxford Handbook of Aquinas
Davies also edits the Outstanding Christian Thinkers series, having overseen the publication of twenty-eight volumes, and of the Great Medieval Thinkers, published by Oxford University Press. He was Book Reviews Editor for New Blackfriars and a member of the editorial board for Religious Studies. He is now Associate European Editor for the International Philosophical Quarterly.
As literary executor for the late Herbert McCabe, Davies edited and published five volumes of work that McCabe left at the time of his death: God Still Matters ; God, Christ and Us ; The Good Life: Ethics and the Pursuit of Happiness ; Faith Within Reason ; and On Aquinas.

Books

Thinking About God The Thought of Thomas Aquinas Aquinas Aquinas: An Introduction The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil Thomas Aquinas on God and Evil Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae: A Guide and Commentary Thomas Aquinas's Summa Contra Gentiles: A Guide and Commentary
;EditedLanguage, Meaning and God: Essays in honour of Herbert McCabe O.P.
  • With G.R. Evans, Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works Philosophy of Religion: A Guide to the Subject Philosophy of Religion: A Guide and Anthology The De Malo of Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas: Contemporary Philosophical Perspectives
  • With Brian Leftow, The Cambridge Companion to Anselm Aquinas's “Summa Theologiae”: Critical Essays
  • With Brian Leftow, Aquinas: “Summa Theologiae”, Questions on God
  • With Eleonore Stump, ''The Oxford Handbook of Aquinas''

Articles

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;Notes