Thomas Aquinas Research Paper

Summa Theologica- Second Part of the Second Part
Maha Masoud
Royal Roads University
Just 303
January 23, 2013
Instructor Robert Aucoin

Table of Contents Introduction 3 Conclusion 5 Reference 6

Introduction
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) wrote about many virtues. In particular he wrote about “temperance, prudence, fortitude, and justice” (p 5). He wrote that he believed justice was the highest virtue and explained what justice was and why he believed justice to be the highest virtue.
Aquinas (1225-1274) explained that virtues are behaviours. Virtues, other than justice, are self-serving, focusing only on one aspect of virtuous behavior. Aquinas (1225-1274) believed that justice covered all virtues. Aquinas (1225-1274) explained the virtues other than justice service one’s own self. An example of temperance (self-restraint) is avoiding or controlling alcohol consumption to benefit the self but not others. An example of prudence is looking at a situation in a certain way but another person could look at the situation in a different way (such as slavery during Thomas Aquinas Era). Saint Augustine approved slavery where Saint Thomas was against it.
In this example we see how the virtue of prudence is pinpointed to one aspect of behaviour. Fortitude is the courage to do right even if it is out of the norm, such as a master defending a slave during Thomas’s era. This again only covers the one virtue of courage. Aquinas (1225-1274) understood justice as being a virtue covering all virtues under one umbrella.
Aquinas (1225-1274) believed justice to be the cardinal (highest) virtue. He defined justice as a virtue, and as the act of treating others in a right, just, fair way. Aquinas (1225-1274) stated “all acts of virtue can pertain to justice, in so far as it directs man to the common good” (p. 6). This means that Aquinas believed justice to be the highest virtue because it directs man to act towards the common good of all people. He believed that justice is the guide to mans’ behavior to another and to the community. Aquinas (1225-1274) stated that justice had to do with how humans act and that following these rules (justice) make humans virtuous.
The overarching reason that Aquinas (1225-1274) believed justice was the highest virtue was because he believed that we need a supreme virtue that will guide all of the other virtues.
He compares a person that did something without the intent to do so (having actus reus, but not the mens reas). Therefore, he believed that doing something is more important to justice than the meaning or passion to do. He explained that we can always be just and deal correctly with our selves, but dealing with others is something that requires a special virtue. Aquinas (1225-1274) further explained that having feelings towards justice is nothing compared to doing something towards justices. Aquinas (1225-1274) believed that justice was a special virtue that goes beyond feelings into action for the common
good.
Justice, according to Aquinas (1225-1274), was the leading virtue, as opposed to temperance, prudence or fortitude. The other virtues were only good for the purpose of satisfying a person’s passion or to feel good. Justice was good because it deals with others. He explained that it is important that legal justice covers the common good vs. the individual good. Aquinas (1225-1274) believes that legal justice is the foremost virtue among all the moral virtues because he believes it works towards the common good and bypasses the individual good. * * *

Conclusion
Virtues, such as temperance, prudence, and fortitude were discussed in Aquinas (1225-1274). According to Aquinas (1225-1274), virtues were important for the self and for others. The virtue of justice was explained as the highest virtue because justice was a virtuous act towards the common good.

Reference
Thomas Aquinas (1947). Second Part of the Second Part, 58: Justice. In Summa Theologica. Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province. New York: Benziger Bros http://moodle.royalroads.ca/moodle/pluginfile.php/20885/mod_page/content/5/Thomas_Aquinas.pdf