Lesallan | April 26, 2025
Evaluating Aquinas’ Two Guides to Ethics: Virtues and Laws
Aquinas’ ethical framework is predicated on two intertwined pillars: virtues and laws. He posits that a comprehensive ethical system integrates the cultivation of character, achieved through virtues, with the structuring of human society, facilitated by laws. Aquinas delineates two categories of virtues: theological and cardinal. The theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—serve to orient the soul toward divine goodness, while the cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude—are grounded in classical Greek philosophy and promote rational action in the secular domain (Nash, 1999). By advocating for the synergy between these dimensions, Aquinas asserts that individual morality is intrinsically linked to divine orientation and pragmatically informed human experience.
In elaborating on the significance of virtues, Aquinas examines the concept of law as an essential framework for ethical guidance. He classifies law into four distinct types: eternal law, which embodies the divine order that governs all existence; divine law, which is revealed through sacred scripture; natural law, which can be discerned through human reason and is manifest in the natural world; and human law, which constitutes the application of natural law within civil society. This thorough categorization of law establishes the parameters within which virtuous actions occur and provides an objective framework for assessing moral righteousness and wrongdoing. Through this analysis, Aquinas illustrates that while human reason may inform moral decision-making, a higher, divinely ordained order exists that surpasses subjective human interpretations of ethics (Nash, 1999).
According to Aquinas, both “guides” of ethics are essential for a comprehensive ethical system. Virtues cultivate the internal dispositions necessary for engaging with legal frameworks meaningfully and morally. Without virtues that direct individuals toward a higher purpose, the law may be enforced in a manner detached from personal conscience. Conversely, without the structure provided by law, focusing solely on internal virtues risks descending into subjectivism, where individual interpretations of “good” and “evil” may differ without a common, objective standard. Therefore, virtues and laws reinforce one another: virtues impart moral character to human actions, while laws establish a framework that ensures these actions contribute to the common good.
Critics have occasionally raised concerns regarding the extent to which Thomas Aquinas’ integration of ancient Greek philosophical concepts into Christian ethics may compromise the integrity of Christian truth. However, Aquinas’ synthesis does not diminish Christian doctrine; rather, it enriches the tradition by asserting that faith and reason are not inherently opposing forces. His incorporation of Greek thought, particularly concerning natural law and cardinal virtues, enhances Christian ethics by illustrating that moral goodness can be apprehended through divine revelation and human reason. This framework enables adherents to acknowledge ethical principles as divinely inspired and rationally discernible, reinforcing that concepts of good and evil can be understood through a confluence of revelation and reason.
In conclusion, Aquinas’ dual emphasis on virtues and laws provides a robust framework for ethical inquiry. Both elements are equally significant as they address the individual’s internal disposition and society’s external structure. By harmonizing divine mandates with rational human experiences, Aquinas articulates a comprehensive understanding of morality that encourages personal development and societal justice. His synthesis remains a valuable reference for contemporary ethical discussions, where the equilibrium between internal character and external regulation is crucial.
In Christ,
Lesallan
References:
Nash, R. (1999). Life’s ultimate questions. Zondervan.
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