The Moral Truth We All Know - Do Good and Avoid Evil | Prof. Jennifer Frey
May 29, 2024
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Philosophy professor Prof. Jennifer Frey discusses moral truth, practical reasoning, virtues, and the importance of seeking truth. Delving into Aquinas' views on morality, she emphasizes moral knowledge and virtues like justice and prudence. Exploring happiness, friendship, and ethical egoism through Aquinas and Aristotle, the discussion also covers the common good, sin, negligence, and moral decision-making.
Moral truth is essential for human intellect and practical reasoning.
Truth is intrinsic to intellectual operations and beliefs.
Practical truth and virtues are crucial for moral decision-making and human fulfillment.
Deep dives
Understanding Moral Truth through Thomas Aquinas's Perspective
Thomas Aquinas views moral truth similar to St. Thomas, emphasizing the importance of moral knowledge and practical reasoning. Aquinas draws upon his dialogue with Thomas Aquinas and contemporary philosophers to delve into the concept of truth as a measure of success or failure. He highlights the relationship between intellect, judgment, and reality, stressing the significance of conforming beliefs to truth.
The Concept of Practical Truth and Intellect's Capacity for Understanding
Aquinas delves into the dynamics of belief, deliberation, and truth, emphasizing the essential connection between intellectual acts and reality. He explores how beliefs are transparent to truth, highlighting the unintelligibility of belief and deliberation without reference to truth. Aquinas defines truth in the context of intellectual operations, showcasing the intrinsic link between belief, truth, and reality.
The Relationship Between Moral Truth and Practical Knowledge
Aquinas navigates the intricacies of moral truth and practical knowledge, explaining how the quest for moral truth is inherent to human intellect. He emphasizes the pursuit of practical truth as a form of self-knowledge, with deliberation and belief rooted in truth. Aquinas underlines the indispensability of truth in deliberation and decision-making, showcasing the role of intellect in navigating moral complexities.
Virtue, Human Acts, and the Pursuit of Human Fulfillment
Aquinas delves into the concept of virtue, defining it as essential for attaining human fulfillment and contributing to a good and happy life. He explains how human acts are morally significant, emphasizing the role of free will in determining the goodness or badness of actions. Aquinas stresses the importance of practical reasoning, deliberation, and the virtues in guiding individuals towards living well and achieving human happiness.
Conscience, Self-Knowledge, and the Pursuit of Moral Truth
Aquinas explores the role of conscience in moral decision-making, highlighting the importance of self-knowledge and practical self-knowledge. He delves into the relationship between self-awareness, deliberation, and moral judgment, emphasizing the value of a well-formed conscience in navigating ethical dilemmas. Aquinas underscores the significance of moral knowledge as a form of practical self-knowledge rooted in understanding human nature and the pursuit of human goodness.