section_path: Property in philosophy/Medieval philosophy/Thomas Aquinas (13th century)
section_name: Thomas Aquinas (13th century)
paragraph_text: Thomas Aquinas (13th century)
  
  The canon law Decretum Gratiani maintained that mere human law creates property, repeating the phrases used by St. Augustine. St. Thomas Aquinas agreed with regard to the private consumption of property but modified patristic theory in finding that the private possession of property is necessary. Thomas Aquinas concludes that, given certain detailed provisions,