My latest historical mystery/detective novel, The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas, has the 13th century theologian/philosopher solving mysteries and crimes in medieval Europe.
Last week's blog on Thomas Aquinas and Sherlock Holmes received some very positive feedback, so I thought I would do a follow up.
My previous blog revealed the commonalities between Aquinas and Holmes such as their use of logic and reason. I found the two had other attitudes they shared.
In their viewpoint toward woman, both Aquinas and Holmes have come under some criticism as misogynists.
Holmes: Women are not to be entirely trusted—not the best of them.
—The Sign of Four
Aquinas: Among perfect animals the active power of generation belongs to the male sex, the passive power to the female.
—Summa Theologiae
Holmes: Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting.
—A Scandal in Bohemia
Aquinas: As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten...
—Summa Theologiae
Both Aquinas and Holmes were philosophers and Godly men acknowledging God in the world
Holmes: God help us!... I never hear of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words and say: 'There but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.
—The Bascombe Valley Mystery
Aquinas: ... man needs the help of grace in order to be moved by God to act.
—Summa Theologiae
Holmes: What is the meaning of it, Watson? What object is served by this circle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable.
—The Cardboard Box
Aquinas: Therefore, God alone can satisfy the will of man...
—Summa Theologiae
Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon
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