Aquinas "Defends" Aristotle in That Intellectual Virtues Need the Direction of Moral Virtues

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Abstract

Terence Irwin argues that Aquinas answered a question that Aristotle had raised but had not answered. The question is if there is any relation between intellectual virtues and moral virtues. The answer is yes, moral virtues direct intellectual virtues to attain the final end. Moral virtues show in what areas one should think, how much other things should be attended to, and how much one should spend time for intellectual issues. Aquinas believes in infused virtues in addition to moral virtues and those especially charity have central place in aforementioned directing role. We argue firstly that Aristotle also had answered the question. Secondly, there is no essential difference between intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Thirdly, there is one single virtue that functions in both intellectual and moral matters. And fourthly, the root of difficulties is in ethical naturalism of Aquinas following Aristotle.     
 

Keywords


  1. ایلخانی، محمد، 1382، تاریخ فلسفه در قرون وسطی و رنسانس، تهران، سمت.

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