Chapter 7: The Moral Virtues and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Flashcards
“ARETE” (Greek)
the Moral Excellence of Man
VIRTUE
Plato’s Four Virtues
1) Wisdom
2) Fortitude
3) Temperance
4) Justice
Aristotle’s View of Virtues
views them as both INTELLECTUAL and ETHICAL - they ultimately lead man to HAPPINESS
Virtue in Scripture
- No direct translation for ARETE in Scripture; always translated as “GLORIOUS ACTION OF GOD
- Maccabees
- Wisdom
- New Testament
Virtue in Maccabees
1) Prudence
2) Courage
3) Virility
4) Faithfulness to God
Virtue in Wisdom
1) Prudence
2) Fortitude
3) Temperance
4) Justice
Virtue in New Testament
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
2 Ways of Understanding Virtue in Light of Scripture
1) VIRTUE and MORAL EXCELLENCE
(convergence of qualities taught by Scripture and by philosophical ethics)
2) VIRTUES in Connection with HABITS
(philosophical-anthropology)
Church Fathers on Virtue
see it as a LADDER that Carries man FROM EARTH to HEAVEN. It UNITES him more closely to God
Augustine’s Definition of Virtue
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
Magisterium’s Consistent Teaching of Virtues as
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)
Aquinas View of Virtue
Faith, Hope, and Charity
he sees them as specific principles of human life, or theological virtues
General Definition of Virtue
- GOOD OPERATING HABIT
1) Habits that IMPROVE human faculties = VIRTUE
2) Habits that DEGRADE human faculties = VICE
3) OPERATING Habits differ from ENTITATIVE Habits
How OPERATING Habits differ from ENTITATIVE Habits
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.]
2 Subcategories of Operating Habits
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
2 Types of Acquired Virtue
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
Cardinal Virtues
1) Prudence
2) Justice
3) Fortitude
4) Temperance
Definition(s) of MORAL VIRTUE
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)
What Must Always Remain for Virtue…
CHOICE
- cannot be see as HABITUATION of DEPENDENCE
- CHOICE may become easier through HABITUAL EXERCISE
Act Itself and Principal of Virtue is…
the GOOD CHOICE
Needed to Speak of a Virtuous Act
- 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
The Act of Virtue
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]
2 Dimensions of Moral Virtue
1) INTENTIONAL DIMENSION
2) ELECTIVE DIMENSION
Intentional Dimension (Moral Virtue)
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
Elective Dimension (Moral Virtue)
the Actual CHOICE of Actions that REALIZE GOOD ENDS that the Intentional Dimension Strives for
Process of Virtuous Choices
Practical Human Reason –> Prudence –> Virtuous Choice
Organization (Categories) of All Other Moral Virtues contained in the Cardinal Virtues
a) SUBJECTIVE PARTS
b) INTEGRAL PARTS
c) POTENTIAL PARTS
Subjective Parts
DISTINCTIONS of PARTIAL SETTINGS found within a Cardinal Virtue.
[i.e. Sobriety and Chastity are subjective parts of TEMPERANCE]
Integral Parts
HABITS REQUIRED for the FULL REALIZATION of a Cardinal Virtue
[i.e. Patience and Perseverance are integral parts of Fortitude]
Potential Parts
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]
