ETHICS ST. AQUINAS

Albert Camus

opened his 1942 seminal book, The Myth of Sisyphus, by posing the question, “Why will I not kill myself today?”

St. Thomas Aquinas

most important theologian and philosopher of Christian tradition. He was born in Roccasecca, Italy. The youngest of 9 kids. He was sent to Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino where he received very strict religious education.

Etsi Deus Non Daretur

even if there is no God, implies that the wisdom of ethical system that is natural law is valid and binding for the human person even if we bracket belief in God.

conscience

proper functioning of reason in moving the human person towards an end goal that is fitting of his/her dignity according to St. Thomas

ignorant

uninformed conscience, simply lacks education

perplexed

needs guidance in sorting out one's confusion

callous

results in the long-term persistence in doing evil that the self is no longer concerned whether he/she does good or bad.

scrupulous

fails to trust one's ability to do good and overly concerns itself wih avoiding what is bad to the point of seeing wrong where there really is none.

who am i?

interrogates the identity of human person; all human acts are moral acts since it is through his/her acts that man defines himself/herself, the ethical man is the task of his/her free acts

who do i want to be?

ethical acts give direction through freedom to build up the self towards particular goals. decisions are the basis of one's freedom in choosing what one wants to be.

how can i get there?

breaks down the task to be done into the particulars of actions and daily routine. Gifted with the will to command the self to go through the steps and hence be able to do transition from knowledge to a fully determined self.

reflect personally

set goals and make voluntary decisions

fully realize their individuality without merely imitating God.

autonomy of ethics allows humans to

human autonomy and divine will

the longing to be everything reflects an inherent thirst for perfection, a desire evoked by a being beyond humanity namely God

relational aspect of human person

true perfection requires love that transcends individual capabilities and connects with the divine.

Ultimate destiny; Union of God

this relationship is characterized:

freedom and cooperation with divine grace

spiritual and heavenly fulfillment beyond capacities

true perfection is found in the desire to unite with God, not solely in ethical actions but in a loving, relational connection with the divine