Moral Theology Quiz 4

define habit

modifies the very nature of something so that it is ill or well disposed

is habit a quality?

yes

As a principle of activity, where do habits reside in the human person?

in the powers of the soul

Please distinguish between first act and second act. Please explain the importance of this distinction in relation to habits.

• first act: have the habit

• second act: using the habit

• this is important in relation to habits because it shows that even if you have a specific habit, if the circumstances never arise to use it then it you will never use the habit for anything

How are good habits formed?

• infused by God

• repeatedly, intensely, and for a long time

Do human beings retain their habits after death?

yes

can we make bad use of intellectual and moral virtues?

we can make bad use of only speculative

• give distinction: two kinds of intellectual virtues - practical and speculative, can only make bad use of speculative

what does it mean to say that virtues are like a new form or 2nd nature?

to have a second nature means you have good powers ordering you to a good end

if Theological Virtues perfect Imago Dei in man, then what do acquired virtues perfect?

human nature

which power of the soul is the last one to receive the qualifications of virtue?

emotions

how do the speculative intellectual virtues differ from the practical ones?

practical moves us to choose, speculative moves us to understand

which one (wisdom/understanding/science) is absolutely essential for the functioning of moral virtues and why?

understanding, because without any understanding of the good that we choose, we cannot truly choose it.

where do the moral virtues reside and what are they perfecting?

they reside in the human will and are perfecting the individual choices

incontinent person vs. continent person

• incontinent: knows the good but does not choose it

• continent: knows and chooses the good, but not happy about it

what is the difference between a continent person and a virtuous person?

both know and choose the good, but a virtuous person is happy about it while a continent person is not

what does the virtue of art perfect and what does the virtue of prudence perfect?

• prudence perfects the agent

• art perfects the object

why do you need prudence to have all the moral virtues?

command: prudence commands your choices