Aquinas on Virtue and the Path to Happiness | Prof. Josh Hochschild & Prof. Jane Sloan Peters
Sep 30, 2024
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Josh Hochschild is a Professor of Philosophy renowned for his work in medieval ethics, and Jane Sloan Peters is an Assistant Professor specializing in biblical interpretation. They delve into Aristotle's take on virtue and the lack of piety in his ethics, contrasting it with Aquinas's views on faith and moral living. The discussion emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the role of contemplation for happiness, and how virtues aid in understanding complex theological truths, making the journey to true fulfillment a blend of intellect and divine guidance.
Aquinas integrates theological virtues with cardinal virtues, emphasizing that complete happiness derives from divine grace rather than solely human effort.
Aristotle's perspective on justice underscores its relational aspect, asserting that true justice exists only among friends pursuing a common good.
Deep dives
Aristotle and the Concept of Piety
Aristotle’s treatment of virtue lacks a significant focus on piety, which is an essential virtue in Greek culture. Despite its importance, piety does not appear in his Nicomachean Ethics, leading to questions about its significance within his ethical framework. This absence prompts a discussion about whether Aristotle believed piety was a true virtue or if it was intentionally left out due to its complexities. The context of historical philosophical discussions, such as Socrates' trial and Plato's dialogues, further complicates the understanding of piety, leaving readers to ponder its role in ethical considerations.
The Interplay of Friendship and Justice
Aristotle asserts that justice only exists among friends, suggesting that friendship and justice have a shared domain. This perspective challenges the modern notion that conflicts among friends can be resolved without recourse to justice. For Aristotle, both concepts are intertwined and depend on the pursuit of a common good, highlighting the relational aspect of justice. The imbalance of status between individuals, even within friendships, raises questions about how such relationships can truly embody justice, especially in the context of divine relationships.
Theological Virtues and Happiness
Aquinas expands on the moral life by integrating theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—alongside the cardinal virtues. These virtues, rooted in Christian teaching, challenge the moral frameworks derived solely from Greek philosophy. Aquinas emphasizes that complete happiness is achieved through grace, suggesting that human efforts alone are insufficient. Understanding the gifts of the Holy Spirit alongside these virtues is vital for developing a moral life that leads to true happiness.
Understanding the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Aquinas identifies seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, vital for navigating the moral life and attaining salvation. These gifts bolster the cardinal and theological virtues, allowing individuals to align their actions with divine will. For instance, the gift of counsel aids decision-making by providing divine insight, while the gift of fortitude empowers individuals to endure hardships, exemplified by historical martyrs. These gifts emphasize the relationship between human agency and divine assistance, illustrating a collaborative dynamic in moral action.
Professors Josh Hochschild and Jane Sloan Peters participate in a two-person panel. First Professor Hochschild examines Aristotle’s concept of piety and its apparent absence in his writing, suggesting that Aristotle may talk about piety indirectly and in a more embodied way through discussion of contemplation of God. Then Professor Peters moves the discussion from the philosophical to the theological, specifically Aquinas’ moral theology. She discusses the often-overlooked importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit along with the cardinal and theological virtues. Finally, the discussion explains how the gifts of the Holy Spirit complement the virtues and are necessary for salvation.
This lecture was given on June 29th, 2024, at The Dominican House of Studies.
Joshua Hochschild is Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he served as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
Jane Sloan Peters is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY. Her dissertation explored Thomas Aquinas's reception of Greek patristic and Byzantine biblical interpretation for his four-volume commentary on the Gospels, the Catena Aurea. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two sons.
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