The Thomistic Institute
Thomas Aquinas on War | Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.
Oct 16, 2024
Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., a Dominican priest and scholar on Aquinas, delves into the moral nuances of just war theory. He explains how Aquinas views peace as more than the absence of conflict, emphasizing the importance of justice and charity in warfare. The discussion touches on the moral criteria for declaring war and the need for virtuous intentions. Fr. Cuddy highlights that military actions should align with moral virtue to achieve a greater good, ultimately guiding us toward lasting peace.
46:09
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Quick takeaways
- True peace is achieved through justice and charity, guiding human desires towards goodness and ultimately towards God.
- In a just war, the primary goal must be peace, defined by legitimate authority, just cause, and right intention rather than conflict itself.
Deep dives
The Nature of Peace and Charity
Peace is fundamentally linked to justice and charity, as articulated in the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Justice serves an indirect role in peace by eliminating obstacles, while charity fosters peace directly through unity with the highest good. Aquinas emphasizes that true peace emerges from the harmonious arrangement of human appetites towards goodness, which ultimately directs individuals towards God. Without this unifying force of charity, internal dissonance arises within individuals, impacting their pursuit of peace and happiness.
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