The Thomistic Institute
Go and Do Likewise:The Saints as Models for Growth in Virtue | Prof. Michael Wahl
Feb 24, 2025
Professor Michael Wahl, an Assistant Theology Professor at Providence College, dives into the Catholic Church's view on abortion, merging scientific and philosophical arguments for the pro-life cause. He elaborates on Thomas Aquinas's insights into virtue, emphasizing how habits shape moral character. Wahl highlights the relevance of saints as relatable role models, illustrating their personal journeys and making their virtue attainable for everyday life. His reflections resonate with the importance of moral development in both individual and communal contexts.
45:00
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Quick takeaways
- Professor Michael Wahl emphasizes that virtues, cultivated through habituation, align our actions with reason, promoting moral goodness and fulfillment.
- Saints serve as unique moral exemplars whose extraordinary lives inspire individuals to pursue virtue and moral excellence despite contemporary challenges.
Deep dives
Understanding Virtue as Habit
Virtue is conceptualized by Thomas Aquinas as a stable disposition or habit that shapes human capacities toward specific activities. This notion suggests that humans, endowed with certain inclinations and appetites directed towards knowledge and pleasure, require the cultivation of habits to ensure coherent and meaningful engagement with these inclinations. Without proper habits, individuals may exhibit erratic behavior, moving from goal to goal without any underlying coherence or purpose. Habits, therefore, not only provide stability to our actions but also enhance our ability to act promptly and with ease in alignment with our inherent capacities.
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