Dave Anthony E.

Urot
Philo Final Paper
EH308
The Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas

I focus on the works of St. Thomas Aquinas on the

borderline topic of ethics, on his prestigious published work
on Summa Theolagiae. Although St. Thomas Aquinas has
some more relevant matters which relates to law,
nevertheless I choose this particular work because it is one
of the few comprehensive and exhaustive work on the
particular topic of ethics. The Summa Theologiae of St.
Thomas Aquinas is divided on to three topics which has its
own emphasis altogether. In this Discussion I focus on the
second part which is concerned about ethics.
Adopting Aristotelian principles and concepts, Aquinas
attempts to explain the origin, operation, and purpose of the
entire universe and the role that everything in the universe
plays in the attainment of that purpose. Aquinas never
doubts the truth of the tenets of his faith. Rather, he
employs techniques of argument that he learned in the
disputatios to state, defend, and elaborate those tenets. The
grandiose scope of the Summa Theologica derives from
Aquinass belief that a very significant portion of theology
can be expressed and codified in a comprehensive and
rational system.
Aquinas writes not only as a philosopher who is
intellectually interested in the pursuit of truth, he writes
primarily as a Catholic who is convinced that the salvation of
humanity itself is at stake. This conviction propels him
toward a rational exegesis of topics the truth of which is
ultimately derived and founded on divine revelation. When a

specific topic so allows, Aquinas uses philosophical concepts

and vocabulary to examine that topic. The primary topics
admitting of such philosophical examination are the
existence of God, the nature and limits of human knowledge,
and the purpose of man. For most other topics, Aquinas
articulates a decidedly Catholic position on issues of
Christian interest, such as the Holy Trinity, original sin, and
the like.
Thomas defined the four cardinal virtues as prudence,
temperance, justice, and fortitude. The cardinal virtues are
natural and revealed in nature, and they are binding on
everyone. There are, however, three theological virtues:
faith, hope, and charity. Aquinas also describes the virtues
as imperfect (incomplete) and perfect (complete) virtues. A
perfect virtue is any virtue with charity, charity completes a
cardinal virtue. A non-Christian can display courage, but it
would be courage with temperance. A Christian would
display courage with charity. These are somewhat
supernatural and are distinct from other virtues in their
object, namely, God:
Aquinas emphasized that "Synderesis is said to be the
law of our mind, because it is a habit containing the precepts
of the natural law, which are the first principles of human
actions." Thomas Aquinas, refers to animals as dumb and
that the natural order has declared animals for man's use.
Thomas denied that human beings have any duty of charity
to animals because they are not persons. Otherwise, it would
be unlawful to use them for food. But this does not give
humans the license to be cruel to them, for "cruel habits
might carry over into our treatment of human beings."
Thomas contributed to economic thought as an aspect
of ethics and justice. He dealt with the concept of a just
price, normally its market price or a regulated price sufficient

to cover seller costs of production. He argued it was immoral

for sellers to raise their prices simply because buyers were in
pressing need for a product.