Prof. Steven Jensen explores the difference between sin and punishment, the concept of evil and its divisions according to Aquinas, the distinction between sin and suffering, the nature of evil and the human will, the relationship between sin, evil, and the good of completion, the connection between neighbor, common good, and divine good, and the different orders of sin's opposition to good.
Sin is a defective action that removes the proper order to a good endpoint.
Sin actively eliminates the proper order to a good, distinguishing it from suffering.
Sin is a unique and more severe form of evil due to its active opposition to the good of order.
Deep dives
Sin is opposed to the good of completion and the good of order
Sin is a defective action that is opposed to the good of completion, as it removes the proper order to a good endpoint. It is also uniquely opposed to the good of order, as it eliminates the order that should be present in an action. Sin is lacking the order to the good that it should be directed towards, which makes it a bad kind of action. It is distinguished from other evils, such as suffering or defective actions found in nature, by its opposition to the good of order.
The distinction between sin and suffering
Sin, unlike suffering, is uniquely opposed to the good of order. While suffering may be a privation or defect, sin goes further by actively eliminating the proper order to a good. Suffering is a deprivation of first actuality, while sin is a deprivation of second actuality or operation. Sin is a voluntary action that removes the order to the proper good, while suffering is a defect or privation in the activities that should lead to the good. Sin is opposed to the good of completion and is characterized by its lack of order to the good, distinguishing it from suffering.
The unique evil of sin
Sin is uniquely evil due to its opposition to the good of order. It goes beyond the absence or defect found in suffering or defective actions in nature. Sin involves removing the proper order to a good and introducing a contrary order. While suffering may be a deprivation, sin actively eliminates the order that should be present. Sin is opposed to the divine good and may also be opposed to the good of others or the good of the individual, as found in the divine good. Sin's distinct evil lies in its lack of order to the proper good, making it a bad kind of action.
The connection between sin and completion
Sin, although it is opposed to the good of completion, is not uniquely distinguished by this opposition. Other defects or privations, such as suffering or defective actions in nature, also exhibit this opposition. Sin's distinction lies in its opposition to the good of order, as it eliminates the proper order that should be present in an action. Sin is more than a defect or deprivation, as it actively removes the order to the proper good, making it a bad kind of action.
The relationship between sin and other actions
Sin is distinguished from non-voluntary actions by its opposition to the good of order. While actions like suffering may exhibit a defect or privation, sin actively eliminates the proper order to a good. Sin involves a removal of the order that should be present, while non-voluntary actions may simply lack the fulfillment or completion of a good. Sin's distinction lies in its active opposition to the good of order, making it a unique and more severe form of evil.
This lecture was given on June 2, 2023, at the 12th Annual Aquinas Philosophy Workshop at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY
For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.thomisticinstitute.org.
About the speaker:
Steven Jensen received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 1993. Jensen’s areas of research include ethics, medieval philosophy, Thomas Aquinas, action theory, biomedical ethics, natural law, and human dignity. He can speak on philosophy, biomedical ethics, faith and reason, logic and Thomistic ethics. He is currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
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