FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   551   552   553   554   555   556   557   558   559   560   561   562   563   564   565   566   567   568   569   570   571   572   573   574   575  
576   577   578   579   580   581   582   583   584   585   586   587   588   589   590   591   592   593   594   595   596   597   598   599   600   >>   >|  
bove (Q. 60, A. 2): wherefore the rational mean in justice is the same as the real mean, in so far, to wit as justice gives to each one his due, neither more nor less. But the other moral virtues deal with interior passions wherein the right cannot be established in the same way, since men are variously situated in relation to their passions; hence the rectitude of reason has to be established in the passions, with due regard to us, who are moved in respect of the passions. This suffices for the Replies to the Objections. For the first two arguments take the rational mean as being in the very act of reason, while the third argues from the mean of justice. ________________________ THIRD ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 64, Art. 3] Whether the Intellectual Virtues Observe the Mean? Objection 1: It would seem that the intellectual virtues do not observe the mean. Because moral virtue observes the mean by conforming to the rule of reason. But the intellectual virtues are in reason itself, so that they seem to have no higher rule. Therefore the intellectual virtues do not observe the mean. Obj. 2: Further, the mean of moral virtue is fixed by an intellectual virtue: for it is stated in _Ethic._ ii, 6, that "virtue observes the mean appointed by reason, as a prudent man would appoint it." If therefore intellectual virtue also observe the mean, this mean will have to be appointed for them by another virtue, so that there would be an indefinite series of virtues. Obj. 3: Further, a mean is, properly speaking, between contraries, as the Philosopher explains (Metaph. x, text. 22, 23). But there seems to be no contrariety in the intellect; since contraries themselves, as they are in the intellect, are not in opposition to one another, but are understood together, as white and black, healthy and sick. Therefore there is no mean in the intellectual virtues. _On the contrary,_ Art is an intellectual virtue; and yet there is a mean in art (Ethic. ii, 6). Therefore also intellectual virtue observes the mean. _I answer that,_ The good of anything consists in its observing the mean, by conforming with a rule or measure in respect of which it may happen to be excessive or deficient, as stated above (A. 1). Now intellectual virtue, like moral virtue, is directed to the good, as stated above (Q. 56, A. 3). Hence the good of an intellectual virtue consists in observing the mean, in so far as it is subject to a measure. Now the good of in
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   551   552   553   554   555   556   557   558   559   560   561   562   563   564   565   566   567   568   569   570   571   572   573   574   575  
576   577   578   579   580   581   582   583   584   585   586   587   588   589   590   591   592   593   594   595   596   597   598   599   600   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
virtue
 

intellectual

 

virtues

 

reason

 

passions

 

observe

 
observes
 

justice

 

stated

 

Therefore


appointed

 

intellect

 

contraries

 

conforming

 

Further

 

respect

 

measure

 

observing

 

established

 
rational

consists
 
deficient
 
directed
 

subject

 

prudent

 
excessive
 

appoint

 
happen
 

Metaph

 
contrariety

healthy

 
understood
 
opposition
 

explains

 
Philosopher
 
answer
 

contrary

 
indefinite
 

speaking

 

properly


series

 
variously
 

situated

 

relation

 

regard

 

rectitude

 
interior
 
wherefore
 

Whether

 
Intellectual