

A Thomistic Approach to the Good Life | Prof. George Corbett
13 snips Sep 18, 2024
George Corbett, a Professor of Theology at the University of St Andrews, delves into a Thomistic approach to ethics, emphasizing the interplay of technology and moral virtues in achieving the good life. He discusses how understanding the true nature of happiness involves a relationship with God and draws from Aristotle and Aquinas. Corbett highlights the importance of cultivating moral virtues through practice and the transformative potential of faith, hope, and love, illustrating how these elements shape our pursuit of genuine fulfillment.
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Centrality of Ethics
- Ethics is central to Aquinas's thought, forming the core of his Summa Theologiae.
- His ethical framework emphasizes moral dynamism, focusing on humanity's journey to and from God.
Teleological Ethics
- Aquinas's ethics are teleological, emphasizing a goal-oriented approach to life.
- He posits that happiness, or friendship with God, is the ultimate end that all humans seek.
Objective Ethics
- Aquinas's ethics is also deontological, grounded in human nature and objective moral law.
- Understanding our nature is crucial for understanding our purpose and how to achieve it.