Thomas Aquinas On The Cardinal Virtues

Thomas Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues provides essential passages from Thomas's treatment of the cardinal virtues in the Summa theologiae, edited and explained for classroom use or the independent reader. Arranged for beginners, this book contains passages from the Summa theologiae of great historical import, contemporary relevance, or intrinsic interest combined with abundant footnotes aiding the modern reader. Each individual article is arranged so that the question, e.g. “Is capital punishment moral?” is followed directed by Thomas’s answer. Then the first objection is raised, followed immediately by Thomas’s response, the second objection is raised and then Thomas answers it, and so forth. The abundant footnotes help first time readers navigate key theological and philosophical terms which may be unfamiliar. In addition, the notes provide biographical information about key authors cited by Thomas, such as Tully, Vegetius, and Gregory the Great. The footnotes sometimes look back at the sources and philosophical roots of what Thomas teaches. Other notes note how authors after Aquinas including theologians, church councils, and popes developed, synthesized, and sometimes rejected what Thomas teaches. In sum, this book seeks to illuminate Thomas’s teaching on the cardinal virtues such as a teacher might do in the classroom.

This newly translated and streamlined compilation of the texts on prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance from the Summa Theologica II-II follows the question-and-answer format of the original while omitting almost all appeals to authority. Minor objections and replies have also been omitted. A general Introduction to the moral thought of Thomas Aquinas, introductory notes on the texts, an extensive glossary of key terms, and a selective bibliography supplement the texts.

"Arranged for beginners, Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues contains select passages from the treatment of justice, temperance, courage, and practical wisdom found in Thomas's Summa theologiae. Copious footnotes treat matters of historical, philosophical, and theological interest to the contemporary reader making this book ideal for classroom use or individual study."--Publisher description

"These translations from the Latin works of Thomas Aquinas, Albert the Great, and Philip the Chancellor concentrate on the four cardinal virtues - prudence, justice, courage, and temperance - first identified by Plato as essential requirements for living a happy and morally good life." "An historical introduction traces the development of the doctrine of four cardinal virtues from Greek philosophy through the thirteenth century. The treatment isolates three stages in this development: (1) Greek and Roman Philosophi: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, early Stoics, Cicero, and Seneca; (2) early Christian Sancti: Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory; and (3) medieval schoolmen (Magistri): Master Peter Lombard, Philip the Chancellor, Albert, and Aquinas."--BOOK JACKET

Thomas Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues provides essential passages from Thomas's treatment of the cardinal virtues in the Summa theologiae, edited and explained for classroom use or the independent reader. Arranged for beginners, this book contains passages from the Summa theologiae of great historical import, contemporary relevance, or intrinsic interest combined with abundant footnotes aiding the modern reader. Each individual article is arranged so that the question, e.g. "Is capital punishment moral?" is followed directed by Thomas's answer. Then the first objection is raised, followed immediately by Thomas's response, the second objection is raised and then Thomas answers it, and so forth. The abundant footnotes help first time readers navigate key theological and philosophical terms which may be unfamiliar. In addition, the notes provide biographical information about key authors cited by Thomas, such as Tully, Vegetius, and Gregory the Great. The footnotes sometimes look back at the sources and philosophical roots of what Thomas teaches. Other notes note how authors after Aquinas including theologians, church councils, and popes developed, synthesized, and sometimes rejected what Thomas teaches. In sum, this book seeks to illuminate Thomas's teaching on the cardinal virtues such as a teacher might do in the classroom.

The third volume of The Hackett Aquinas, a series of central philosophical treatises of Aquinas in new, state-of-the-art translations accompanied by a thorough commentary on the text.

This guide to St Thomas Aquinas' virtue ethics provides commentary on essential texts, rendering them accessible to all readers.

In The Four Cardinal Virtues, Joseph Pieper delivers a stimulating quartet of essays on the four cardinal virtues. He demonstrates the unsound overvaluation of moderation that has made contemporary morality a hollow convention and points out the true significance of the Christian virtues.