Chapter 7: The Moral Virtues and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Question 1

“ARETE” (Greek)

Answer 1

the Moral Excellence of Man

VIRTUE

Question 2

Plato’s Four Virtues

Answer 2

1) Wisdom
2) Fortitude
3) Temperance
4) Justice

Question 3

Aristotle’s View of Virtues

Answer 3

views them as both INTELLECTUAL and ETHICAL - they ultimately lead man to HAPPINESS

Question 4

Virtue in Scripture

Answer 4

• No direct translation for ARETE in Scripture; always translated as “GLORIOUS ACTION OF GOD
• Maccabees
• Wisdom
• New Testament

Question 5

Virtue in Maccabees

Answer 5

1) Prudence
2) Courage
3) Virility
4) Faithfulness to God

Question 6

Virtue in Wisdom

Answer 6

1) Prudence
2) Fortitude
3) Temperance
4) Justice

Question 7

Virtue in New Testament

Answer 7

1) Many lists of virtues and gifts of the Spirit that emphasize a JUSTIFICATION By FAITH Through CHARITY
2) ORIGIN and ENDS are GOD
3) Focusses on Man BETTERING HIMSELF to be MORE LIKE CHRIST

Question 8

2 Ways of Understanding Virtue in Light of Scripture

Answer 8

1) VIRTUE and MORAL EXCELLENCE
(convergence of qualities taught by Scripture and by philosophical ethics)

2) VIRTUES in Connection with HABITS
(philosophical-anthropology)

Question 9

Church Fathers on Virtue

Answer 9

see it as a LADDER that Carries man FROM EARTH to HEAVEN. It UNITES him more closely to God

Question 10

Augustine’s Definition of Virtue

Answer 10

Virtue is a good Quality of the Soul by which we LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY and cannot be used for evil; and God produces it in us without us

Question 11

Magisterium’s Consistent Teaching of Virtues as

Answer 11

Faith, Hope, and Charity

(these are natural moral qualities that are found in humans–this shows that human virtues are rooted in the theological virtues. Theological virtues help man to perfect himself)

Question 12

Aquinas View of Virtue

Answer 12

Faith, Hope, and Charity

he sees them as specific principles of human life, or theological virtues

Question 13

General Definition of Virtue

Answer 13

• GOOD OPERATING HABIT

1) Habits that IMPROVE human faculties = VIRTUE
2) Habits that DEGRADE human faculties = VICE

3) OPERATING Habits differ from ENTITATIVE Habits

Question 14

How OPERATING Habits differ from ENTITATIVE Habits

Answer 14

ENTITATIVE Habits ORDER the Good or Evil NATURE of Man, and NOT the DIRECT FACULTIES

(Hardon: “Sanctifying grace as a PERMANENT QUALITY ADDED to Human Nature and DIRECTLY MODIFYING its BEING (entity) rather than its OPERATIONS, as in the case of virtues)

[i.e. sanctifying grace is a Supernatural Entitative Habit, Infused by God, that Elevates man to the status of son of God.]

Question 15

2 Subcategories of Operating Habits

Answer 15

1) INFUSED VIRTUE (Supernatural):
man receives a GIFT from God that is Bound by Grace

2) ACQUIRED VIRTUE (Human):
man achieves this virtue THROUGH EXERCISE and PERSONAL EFFORT
- Intellectual
- Moral

Question 16

2 Types of Acquired Virtue

Answer 16

1) INTELLECTUAL:
Perfects REASON and SPECULATIVE Aspects; allows one to do something very well, but does not ensure proper usage (i.e. one can use science for evil)

2) MORAL:
Perfects man’s WILL and TRENDS

Question 17

Cardinal Virtues

Answer 17

1) Prudence
2) Justice
3) Fortitude
4) Temperance

Question 18

Definition(s) of MORAL VIRTUE

Answer 18

1) An ELECTIVE HABIT (free choice) that consists in a MEAN RELATIVE to US, REGULATED by RIGHT REASON in the form in which it would be regulated by the Truly Prudent Man
2) The HABITUAL DESIRE for CORRECT ENDS (Intentional Dimension) and the CHOICE of ACTIONS that REALIZE these CORRECT ENDS (Elective Dimension)

Question 19

What Must Always Remain for Virtue…

Answer 19

CHOICE

• cannot be see as HABITUATION of DEPENDENCE
• CHOICE may become easier through HABITUAL EXERCISE

Question 20

Act Itself and Principal of Virtue is…

Answer 20

the GOOD CHOICE

Question 21

Needed to Speak of a Virtuous Act

Answer 21

• External Act according to the Standard
• A Determined Way of Acting

1) KNOWING what one does
2) Being able to Choose Interiorly the action AS SUCH; that is, choosing the action INSOFAR as IT IS GOOD in the “HERE and NOW”
3) Acting FIRMLY and CONSISTENTLY, without Flinching amidst obstacles

Question 22

The Act of Virtue

Answer 22

is IDENTIFIED and COMMANDED by a JUDGEMENT OF REASON, and not by just any kind of reason, but by RIGHT REASON

[i.e., by Practical Reason, Perfected by the Moral Virtue of PRUDENCE]

Question 23

2 Dimensions of Moral Virtue

Answer 23

1) INTENTIONAL DIMENSION

2) ELECTIVE DIMENSION

Question 24

Intentional Dimension (Moral Virtue)

Answer 24

the Habitual Ordering of Tendencies according to the MEASURE of TRUTH and RIGHT REASON

• focuses on the INTENTIONS behind the Tendencies and DESIRES Good Ends

Question 25

Elective Dimension (Moral Virtue)

Answer 25

the Actual CHOICE of Actions that REALIZE GOOD ENDS that the Intentional Dimension Strives for

Question 26

Process of Virtuous Choices

Answer 26

Practical Human Reason –> Prudence –> Virtuous Choice

Question 27

Organization (Categories) of All Other Moral Virtues contained in the Cardinal Virtues

Answer 27

a) SUBJECTIVE PARTS
b) INTEGRAL PARTS
c) POTENTIAL PARTS

Question 28

Subjective Parts

Answer 28

DISTINCTIONS of PARTIAL SETTINGS found within a Cardinal Virtue.

[i.e. Sobriety and Chastity are subjective parts of TEMPERANCE]

Question 29

Integral Parts

Answer 29

HABITS REQUIRED for the FULL REALIZATION of a Cardinal Virtue

[i.e. Patience and Perseverance are integral parts of Fortitude]

Question 30

Potential Parts

Answer 30

VIRTUES that are Connected to a Cardinal Virtue, in which they are NOT FULLY REALIZED Except for the REASON of the Cardinal Virtue.

[i.e. Religion and Piety toward Parents are potential parts of Justice]