Q2.A. 6-8

Question 2: The Nature of Man's Beatitude

Overview

Man's beatitude is a complex concept that can be analyzed through three core considerations:

  1. What it lies in - exploring various potential sources or aspects that could constitute beatitude.

  2. What beatitude itself is - defining the concept of beatitude in philosophical and theological terms.

  3. How beatitude can be attained - discussing the methods or pathways through which one can reach a state of beatitude.

Aspects of Beatitude

There are eight notable considerations regarding what beatitude might lie in:

  • Riches - material wealth and its implications on happiness.

  • Honors - recognition for good deeds or virtue.

  • Fame or Glory - public acknowledgment and its relation to self-worth.

  • Power - the ability to exert control or influence.

  • Bodily Good - physical health and well-being.

  • Pleasure - enjoyment derived from sensory experiences.

  • Good of the Soul - spiritual fulfillment.

  • Created Good - finding beatitude in the material world and creations.

Article 1: Beatitude and Riches

Argument for Beatitude in Riches:

  • Riches significantly dominate individual affections, as illustrated in Ecclesiastes 10:19, which states, "All things obey money."

  • Philosopher Boethius argues that beatitude is perfected through the aggregation of all goods, suggesting that riches encapsulate essential needs and desires.

  • The insatiable nature of the desire for wealth is supported by Ecclesiastes 5:9: "An avaricious man shall not be satisfied with money," indicating a potential hollow pursuit of wealth.

Counter-Arguments:

  • Beatitude is actually preserved in the retention of possessions rather than in their consumption; thus, generosity is posited as a more fulfilling avenue.

  • Acts of generosity can foster a more authentic human identity, highlighting that true happiness often lies in selflessness rather than material wealth.

Riches Defined:

  • Natural Riches: These are basic necessities such as food and clothing necessary for life.

  • Artificial Riches: Representing money and monetary systems that facilitate the acquisition of natural goods but do not inherently satisfy human nature.

  • Conclusion: Analyzing both forms, it is evident that riches do not constitute true beatitude since they are means to an end rather than fulfilling ends in themselves.

Article 2: Beatitude in Honors

Arguments for Beatitude in Honor:

  • Honors serve as rewards for virtue, establishing a moral connection as posited by Aristotle. Honoring virtue can be seen as endorsing those who strive for a good life.

  • The relationship between beatitude and transcendent excels in being indicates that honors might align with higher states of being.

  • The desire for honor is deeply rooted in human nature; individuals often risk much to maintain or attain honor, supporting its perceived importance.

Counter-Arguments:

  • True beatitude ultimately exists within the individual rather than as a result of external honors, indicating that reliance on outside validation can be misleading.

Article 3: Beatitude and Glory/Fame

Support for Glory:

  • Glory seems to ennoble those who have endured hardships, as suggested in Romans 8:18, further associating glory with a noble character.

  • Ambrose’s definition of glory encompasses knowledge joined with praise, linking intellectual achievement with public acclaim.

  • The concept of fame often connects immortality to one's work, as renowned figures are frequently remembered long after their physical existence.

Opposing Views:

  • Glory may be given erroneously by society and could be perceived as a superficial basis for beatitude; thus, one could chase false evaluations.

  • Human understanding of beatitude is fundamentally distinct from the opinions of others, suggesting that personal contentment does not equate to societal acclaim.

Article 4: Beatitude in Power

Propositions:

  • Goals of human endeavors inherently lead towards divine resemblance, where power is often seen as a means to achieve such ends due to its ability to govern.

  • The perceived value of power leads to its consideration as ideal, with power's pursuit often viewed as normative in striving for beatitude.

Opposing Arguments:

  • Philosophers like Boethius argue that with power come inherent flaws and vulnerabilities; therefore, it cannot serve as a valid foundation for true beatitude.

Article 5: Beatitude in Bodily Good

For Bodily Good:

  • Health's significance is emphasized in Ecclesiasticus 30:16, indicating that well-being plays a vital role in one's pursuit of beatitude.

  • Bodily health is often viewed as foundational for existance, establishing an initial link between physical condition and happiness.

Counter-Arguments:

  • Despite the importance of physical health, humans possess spiritual dimensions that elevate them above mere animals, indicating that beatitude cannot hinge solely on physical state and must involve the soul's well-being.

Article 6: Beatitude in Pleasure

Arguments for Pleasure:

  • Delight is seen as a culmination of human desire, which positions pleasure as an end in itself; various philosophical views link pleasure to essential human thought and existence.

Counterviews:

  • Boethius critiques the transient nature of pleasure, denoting that fleeting joys do not yield lasting or genuine beatitude; true fulfillment must arise from deeper existential pursuits associated with the soul rather than merely physical sensations.

Article 7: Beatitude in the Soul's Good

Supporting View:

  • Beatitude's identification as a distinctly human good aligns with philosophical classifications of human experience and understanding, further supporting the integration of soul into discussions of beatitude.

  • The innate human capacity to seek complete fulfillment emphasizes a soul-centric approach to understanding beatitude.

Contrary View:

  • Augustine argues that true goodness transcends individual existence, suggesting that beatitude extends beyond the self and cannot be contained merely within the soul.

Article 8: Beatitude in Created Goods

Arguments for Created Goods:

  • Achieving higher states of existence is framed through the lens of created entities, with human flourishing often associated with aspects of the physical, including artistic expression and relationships.

  • Survival and existence inherently relate the human condition with lower natures, lending credence to the argument for finding beatitude within creation.

Counterpoint:

  • Ultimate fulfillment incorporates a quest for divine goodness; thus, true beatitude is found not just in created but also in transcendent realities, affirming that God embodies the perfect and complete good which meets the entirety of human desire.