ABSTRACT
Until the 1960s, it was rare to find mention of Thomas Aquinas in non-Thomist English-language philosophy, and any reference would most likely be in connection with natural law ethics and natural theology. Not only are scholars in the field generally well aware of Aquinas's views about human ensoulment, but the Catholic Church itself has made reference to such views in its public declarations promulgating a contrary position. Silvester Prieras in his widely referred to Summa summarium draws the distinction between abortion pre- and post-hominization, and offers the direction that in circumstances where it is uncertain which may have been performed the penitent should be required to confess to and be absolved of the greater sin. The morality of abortion turns on two important sets of issues: the first metaphysical, concerning the beginnings of human life and the specific status of the embryo; the second, ethical, having to do with the nature and scope of value and associated moral requirements.
