VIRTUE ETHICS:

AQUINAS AND THE LAW

Presentors
Pura, Michelle M.
Menes, Hanna F.
Nato, Yra Joiz D.
Porteros, Reynaldo Jr.
Marmol, Irish
VIRTUE ETHICS AS A MORAL
PHILOSOPHY

Virtue Ethics is a moral philosophy that emphasizes the role

of character and virtue in moral life, rather than either doing
one’s duty, which is dentology, or acting in order to bring
about good consequences, which is consequentialism.

In other words, virtue ethics is all about being a good person,

not just doing good actions.
WHO IS THOMAS AQUINAS?
• Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican
friar, philosopher, and theologian, revered
as a saint in the Catholic Church.
• He was born around 1225 in Italy, and died
in 1274.
• His work is often associated with
Scholasticism, a philosophical and
theological system that aimed to
reconcile faith with reason and the
works of the Greek philosopher
Aristotle with the teachings of
Christianity.
• Aquinas is best known for his work
"Summa Theologica," which is
considered one of the greatest
achievements in scholastic
philosophy. It's a comprehensive
guide to theology, covering topics
such as the existence of God, ethics,
and the nature of the soul.
Despite facing criticism and even charges
of heresy during his lifetime, Aquinas's
teachings became more widely accepted
after his death in 1274. In 1323, he was
canonized as a saint by the Catholic
Church. His philosophy continues to have
a profound impact on Christian theology,
especially within the Catholic Church, and
he's also revered as a model teacher for
those studying for the priesthood.
 AQUINAS’ VIRTUE
ETHICS
In terms of virtue ethics, Aquinas was heavily influenced by Aristotle’s
Nicomachean Ethics. He agreed with Aristotle’s view that virtues are habits
that help us act according to reason.

Aquinas saw virtues as “habits”, a stable disposition to act in a certain way.

This is a central aspect of his virtue ethics.

However, Aquinas expanded on Aristotle’s ideas by distinguishing between

theological and cardinal virtues.
 AQUINAS’ VIRTUE ETHICS

Aquinas believed virtues are acquired through practice and repetition.

Just as playing the piano, take for example, playing a piano can turn into
a habit, acting courageously or fairly over time can develop into a virtue.

Over time, these virtues become so ingrained in us that they guide our
actions, emotions, and thoughts, leading us towards moral goodness
and away from moral evil.
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
Four (4) Cardinal Virtues:

1. Prudence – often described as “wisdom in action”. It is the virtue that

enable us to make right decisions. It involves practical wisdom, the
ability to discern the appropriate course of action to be taken in a given
situation at the appropriate time.

2. Justice - this virtue is about giving others their due. It involves respect
for rights and fulfilling obligations or duties. This could be in relation to
individuals, such as repaying a debt, or towards society, such as
contributing to the common good.
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Four (4) Cardinal Virtues:

3. Fortitude – also known as courage, fortitude is the virtue that enables us to

confront fear and to endure pain or adversity with courage. It’s not just about physical
courage, but also the moral courage to stand up for what is right , even when it’s
difficult.
4. Temperance – this virtue is about self-control and moderation. It helps us to keep
our desires in check and to balance our use of material goods. It’s about mastering our
appetites for things like food, drink, and pleasure, to ensure they don’t master us.
Aquinas believed that these virtues are
interrelated and that they all need to be
present for a person to have good moral
character. For instance, courage without
prudence and justice can lead to
recklessness. So, according to him, a
virtuous person is prudent, just,
courageous, and temperate.
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
THREE (3) THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

1. Faith – it involves believing in God and trusting in his promises. It is a virtue that
provides a foundation for the other virtues and guides one’s relationship with the
divine.

2. Hope – It is the virtue of confident expectation and desire for eternal life. It involves
trusting in God’s providence and relying on His grace.

3. Charity – also known as “love”, is considered the greatest of the virtues. It is an

unconditional, selfless love for God and others. It motivates all virtuous actions and
is the ultimate expression of a virtuous life.
 These virtues, both cardinal and
theological, play a significant role in
Aquinas’ ethical framework. They provide
a guide for moral behavior, character
development, and the pursuit of true
happiness. They shape an individual’s
moral choices and actions, as well as their
relationship with others and their
connection to the divine.
 AQUINAS AND THE LAW

Aquinas believed that law is a rule and measure of acts, directing us

towards the common good.

He identified four types of laws: Eternal law (the divine government of

everything by God), Natural law (participation of rational creatures in the
eternal law), Human law (derived from natural law), and Divine law
(specifically revealed by God).
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Thomas Aquinas' understanding of law is deeply intertwined with his philosophical and theological views.

Aquinas’ four (4) types of laws:

1. Eternal Law: Aquinas believed that God, as the creator and ruler of the
universe, has a rational and purposeful plan for all of creation. This plan is
what Aquinas referred to as the Eternal Law. It's the ultimate source from
which all other laws derive their authority and power.
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Thomas Aquinas' understanding of law is deeply intertwined with his philosophical and theological views.

Aquinas’ four (4) types of laws:

2. Natural Law: According to Aquinas, rational creatures (like humans) can

participate in the Eternal Law through their ability to reason and discern
what is good and evil. This is what he called the Natural Law. It's the human
"share" of the Eternal Law, discernible through the use of reason and
conscience.
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Thomas Aquinas' understanding of law is deeply intertwined with his philosophical and theological views.

Aquinas’ four (4) types of laws:

3. Human Law: These are the specific laws that human societies establish
based on their understanding of Natural Law. For Aquinas, a just human law
must be a specific application of the Natural Law, promoting the common
good and not violating the fundamental principles of morality.
 AQUINAS’ CARDINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Thomas Aquinas' understanding of law is deeply intertwined with his philosophical and theological views.

Aquinas’ four (4) types of laws:

4. Divine Law: Finally, Aquinas believed that God has specifically revealed
certain laws to humanity through religious revelation (like the Ten
Commandments in Christianity). This is the Divine Law. It serves to guide
humans towards their ultimate end (union with God), correct the fallibility of
human law, and reveal truths that are beyond human reason.
Natural Law, according to Aquinas,
is the participation of the rational
creature in the eternal law. It's the
law that's written in our hearts, so to Human Law, on the other hand, is
speak, and it's discoverable through the law that we create, such as the
reason. It includes basic moral statutes in our legal system. For
principles that are self-evident, like Aquinas, good human laws are
"do good and avoid evil," and derived from natural law. They apply
principles that are derived from the general principles of natural law
these, such as the duty to preserve to specific situations in society.
life.
 So, the relationship between the two is that
Human Law is a specification of Natural
Law. Human Law takes the broad
THE principles of Natural Law and applies them
to particular circumstances to guide human
RELATIONSHIP behavior in society.
BETWEEN However, Aquinas also believed that if a
NATURAL AND human law contradicts natural law, it's not
truly a law but a corruption of law. This is
HUMAN LAW because it would be contrary to the
common good, which is the ultimate end
of law according to Aquinas.
What
happens
when a
human law
contradicts
natural law
according
to Aquinas?
According to Thomas Aquinas, when a human law
contradicts the natural law, it is no longer a true law
but becomes a "perversion of law". Aquinas
believed that the purpose of law is to guide human
actions towards the common good. Natural law,
which is universal and accessible through reason,
provides the fundamental principles for this
guidance. Human law, derived from natural law,
provides specific applications of these principles in
society. However, if a human law contradicts
natural law, it goes against the common good and
the inherent moral order.
Therefore, Aquinas considered such a law
to be unjust and a corruption of law. He
even went so far as to suggest that
citizens have a moral duty to disobey
such unjust laws. This is because these
laws violate the principles of justice and
morality as outlined in the natural law.
So, in Aquinas' view, an unjust law - one
that contradicts the natural law - lacks
legal binding force and should not be
followed.
In what
instances
would
Aquinas
consider a
human law
to be a
"perversion
of law"?
Aquinas would consider a human law to be a "perversion
of law" when it contradicts the principles of natural law.
This could occur in several instances:

1. Contradiction of Basic Moral Principles

2. Violation of Human Dignity
3. Contrary to the common good
4. Unfair Burden

Aquinas believed that such laws lack moral authority and

are not truly laws. Instead, they are corruptions of law and
should not be obeyed.
 So, for Aquinas, the purpose of law is not just to maintain order or to enforce justice, but to guide people towards virtuous living and the common good.

Purpose of Law according to Aquinas:

• According to Thomas Aquinas, the primary purpose of law is

to guide human actions towards the common good.
• He believed that law is a rule and measure of acts, directing us
towards what is morally good and away from what is evil.
• Law serves to educate people in virtue. By prescribing what is
right and prohibiting what is wrong, law teaches people to act
virtuously and to avoid vice.

So, for Aquinas, the purpose of law is not just to maintain

order or to enforce justice, but to guide people towards
virtuous living and the common good.
In conclusion, the influence and importance of
Aquinas' Virtue Ethics can't be overstated. His
approach to morality, which emphasizes the
development of good character and virtues, has
shaped the way we understand and approach
ethics. Aquinas' Virtue Ethics encourages us to
look beyond rules and consequences, focusing
instead on the cultivation of virtues such as
prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
Moreover, his belief in the
harmonious coexistence of reason
and faith has been instrumental in
shaping our modern understanding
of religion. In today's complex
world, Aquinas' Virtue Ethics still
offers valuable insights, providing a
moral compass that guides us
towards ethical decisions and
actions.
THANK YOU!