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Questions and Answers
A good disposition leads us toward making immoral choices.
False
Aquinas argued that our sense of right and wrong must be informed and guided.
True
The divine command theory promotes critical thinking in moral decision-making.
False
Human nature serves as a stable grounding for one's sense of right and wrong according to Aquinas.
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Thomas Aquinas's natural law theory is part of his larger moral theory.
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The Summa Theologiae consists of four parts.
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Plato introduced the concept of a supreme and absolutely transcendent evil.
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According to Aquinas, happiness is ultimately found in created goods.
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God's grace is considered by Aquinas to be important for achieving salvation.
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Emotions in Aquinas's ethics play no role in directing our actions towards specific ends.
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Study Notes
Thomas Aquinas's Moral Theory
- Aquinas's moral theory is embedded in a broader Christian framework, where creation is a return to God.
- His Summa Theologiae follows this narrative, beginning with God, then moving to human life and its pursuit of happiness, culminating in Jesus Christ as the path to salvation.
- Aquinas argues against simply obeying religious precepts without reason, emphasizing a reasoned approach to morality grounded in human nature.
Aquinas's Ethics
- Aquinas posits that human actions aim at specific ends, involving emotions and habits.
- These habits, or "dispositions," are developed through actions, shaping moral choices and leading to virtues or vices.
- A conscience exists within us, but it requires a strong, objective basis for right and wrong.
- The natural law provides this foundation, offering a concrete guide for morality and directing our conscience.
The Influence of Plato
- Aquinas's understanding of creation is influenced by Plato's concept of a transcendent good.
- Aquinas believes God governs the universe, echoing Plato's idea of a supreme, unchanging good that guides reality.
- This grounding in a transcendent good provides a framework for Aquinas's natural law theory.
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Description
Explore the key elements of Thomas Aquinas's moral theory within a Christian framework. This quiz covers topics from his Summa Theologiae, including the importance of reason in ethics, the role of natural law, and the development of virtues through actions. Test your understanding of Aquinas’s influence and his views on morality and conscience.
