VIRTUE
ETHICS :ST.
THOMAS AQUINAS
REPORTER:
EMMA JOY L.
MARANO
OBJECTIVES:
• Explain the basic tenets of the virtue
theory and natural law theory.
• Apply the virtue theory and natural
law theory in solving moral/ethical
problem.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
• Also called Aquinas by name
Doctor Angelicus (born 1224/25) ,
Roccasecca ,in Italy .He died
March 7, 1274.
• An Italian Dominican Theologian ,
the foremost Medieval Scholastic.
• He developed his own conclusions from Aristolian
premises , notably in the metaphysics of
personality , creation, and providence.
• He was responsible in his two masterpieces , the
Summa Theologiae and Summa Contra Gentiles ,
for the Classical Systematization of Latin
Theology.
NATURAL LAW AND ITS TENETS:
• Natural law theory is the simplest ethical
framework that recognizes the deep
connection between nature and morality. All
things in nature or the world have their own
purposes which are part of an all –
encompassing law , the natural law.
NATURAL LAW AND ITS TENETS:
• Natural law is morality built into the nature of
people which is rationality. Thus, anything that
is natural-rational is basically moral and vice
versa. With great influence from Aristotle, the
father of natural law, Thomas Aquinas is said to
have Christianized Aristotelian philosophy.
NATURAL LAW AND ITS TENETS:
• He added that the natural law comes from and ends in God.
Anything that goes against it is considered unnatural and thus
immoral. Aquinas believes in a God (efficient cause) who created
the natural world in order and with purpose as a reflection of his
will. People's human nature was a special reflection (final cause)
or growth in relationship with God, the supreme good, in order to
discover his plan and purpose or nature.
BASIC TENETS :
1. Eternal law of god is revealed through the natural law .
2. Natural law is revealed to all people through human
reason.
3. Natural law has flexibility in its application .
4. The natural laws are universal and unchangeable .
(individual cultures and societies.
BASIC TENETS :
5.Everything in the world has its own nature or
purpose (natural law )of being.
6.Humanity has an essential rational nature.
7.Human person can know , through reason,
what is in accord with his own nature.
HAPPINESS AS
CONSTITUTIVE OF
MORAL AND
CARDINAL
VIRTUES
CONNECTION OF HAPPINESS TO
MORAL
• Through teaching , we implicity making the
connection between morality and happiness
in an attempt to restore.
• Ethics of the Good
• Morality of Happiness
FOUR PRINCIPAL CARDINAL VIRTUES
• Prudence
• Justice
• Fortitude
• Temperance
1.PRUDENCE
• Concerned with intellect
• Guide the judgements of our conscience in discerning
our true good and in applying moral principles to
particular circumstances
• “RIGHT REASON IN AN ACTION
• The guide and measure for all the moral virtues
2.JUSTICE
• Concerned with the will.
• Virtue that consist in giving to god and neighbor what is
due to each.
• “GIVING TO THEM WHAT IS RIGHTLY BELONG TO
THEM .”
• To establish the peace and harmony that bring together
people and allow the prosper while in community.
3. Fortitude
• “GIVE US STRENGHTO DO IT.”
• Allow us to remain strong and constant in
our pursuit of what is good and give us the
strength to resist temptation that would pull
us in the wrong direction.
4. TEMPERANCE
• “MODERATION IN ALL THINGS.”
• Involves the balanced use of the many
goods given us so that their use remains the
service of the development of the good , well
–rounded and complete person.
THANK YOU!
