1

Chapter One

Introduction

A. Background of the Study:

Every action has its corresponding consequences whether good or evil depending on

the intention of the doer. From this perspective, it portrays that man himself has the

responsibility with regard on what he is doing in his life. In relation with this

responsibility, he has been bestowed by freedom in which the decision to be executed

depends greatly on his hands. In other words, he has the power to act what he wants in his

life. Speaking of freedom, people at this present generation have different choices in life

which they see as beneficial and useful for them. For this reason, they have options to

choose what they need, desire and want. Infused by rationality, man helps himself to

reason out matters which other creatures cannot do especially when it comes in the

consequence of his actions and decisions. On this context, an individual person can live

his life according on what he needs and desires. Aside from rationality, he has conscience

in choosing the difference between good and evil especially on his actions. With his

conscience, it guides him to choose what is proper and good for himself. Likewise, man

can have a good decision when it comes to the end of what he wants. This makes him to

have a life suitable for his existence and living on this world. This concept is also linked

on what the late Pope Paul VI said: “Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of

a man.”1 The late pope’s statement becomes applicable even in this millennium and it

continues to inculcate to man the importance of possessing good conscience.

1
Pope Paul VI, “Gaudium et Spes” (December 07, 1965), 16. Thus, it will be abbreviated as GS.
 2

Modern philosophers have their stand on conscience like John Locke who states that

“conscience will be urged as checking us for such breaches, and so the internal obligation

and establishment of the rule be preserved.” 2 It implies that with conscience, one can

prevent himself from violating what is morally accepted. Furthermore, “conscience was

regarded as the activity of one’s mind in bringing those values to bear upon one’s own

individual actions. It is thus a species of self-consciousness or a way being aware of

oneself.”3 It clearly proves that conscience guides man to live morally and puts value on

the result of man’s activity. Man on his human nature denotes inclination to what is

desirable and good on him and his body needs it in order for him to exist and survive.

This concupiscence of man tends him to long for something that will make him satisfy

and contented. Due to man’s excessive concupiscence, more often than not, it sway

man’s conscience making him to act improperly and worst immoral. Looking at this

circumstances, man’s conscience has not been in proper function and fails to assist man

towards proper end of his life---- living morally. For this reason, there is a need in order

to address this kind of problem in man’s conscience. Every man needs to have virtue so

that his actions and even his conscience is formed and guided. One of the virtues needed

in conscience formation is temperance. “Virtue does not require us to abandon the pursuit

of this life.”4 Thus, it is true that temperance plays a significant role in man’s life.

2
John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State
University, 1999), 51. http://booksdescr.org/item/index.php?md5=6D2D2F00D40E03997051AE30F
96AC8BE (accessed April 09, 2019).

3
John K. Roth, Ethics Revised Edition (California: Salem Press, Inc., 2005), 309. https:/ booksdescr.org
/item/index.php?md5=11ED9F3866EA394E9998C97B11B82FE1 (accessed April 09, 2019).

4
Terence Irwin, The Development of Ethics vol. 1 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2007), 331.
 3

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a Medieval philosopher and recognized by the

Catholic Church as the Angelic Doctor, has reputable philosophical thoughts on virtues

and one of it is temperance. This virtue is indeed important as it talks things about which

temperance is concerned and have a most disturbing effect on the soul, for the reason that

they are natural to man. Hence, tranquility of the soul is ascribed to temperance. 5

Understanding this statement, it helps man to have an ordered life which has been

interrupted by his inordinate reasoning and living since temperance conforms man to act

in accordance with reason. Likewise, the researcher of this endeavor will try to state that

through temperance, conscience formation can be achieved. Therefore, the researcher

will try to state that this endeavor of him will definitely enlighten the mind and heart of

everyone whose conscience needs to be formed and this possibly happens in practicing

this kind of virtue as it “controls desires and pleasures. It moderates the appetites for

sensible and bodily delights; it also moderates the appetites that shrink from bodily

evils.”6 Ethically speaking, St. Thomas Aquinas deliberately makes temperance as man’s

one’s moral guidance in life because through this virtue, one has knowledge that what he

is doing is right based on his reason and guided by formed conscience. Hence, it shows

that temperance is related to the conscience formation since it tells that “conscience

expresses the absolute claim of the subjective self-consciousness to know in itself and

from itself what right and duty are, and to recognize nothing except what it thus knows to

5
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province (New York:
Benzinger Brothers, Inc. 1948), II-II, q.5 a. 2. Thus, it will be abbreviated as ST.

6
Paul Glenn, A Tour of the Summa (Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1978), 273.
 4

be good. It asserts also that what it so knows and wills is right and duty in very truth” 7 as

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel explains.

B. Statement of the Problem:

Speaking on the nature of man, various portrayals depict who and what man is.

Inevitably, human being is subject from failures and errors. With this situation, his

conscience has been affected and it results from disordered decision- making and

everyday living. Hence, the virtue which has not been practiced anymore by many and

needs to be re-lived is temperance. St. Thomas Aquinas’ treatise on temperance provides

a vivid explanation that man will be directed to have an ordered life and more

importantly a formed conscience. Moreover, as a virtue, temperance directs man to his

proper end----goodness and conformity to the will of God and this can be achieved if man

himself has formed conscience. “The virtues lead to, and constitute, the human telos. To

arrive there we should enjoy the journey too; as the popular phrase runs-‘the way to

heaven is heaven.”8

Main Problem: In what way the virtue of temperance form conscience in Ethical Theory

of St. Thomas Aquinas?

Sub-Problems:
1. What is conscience for St. Thomas Aquinas?

7
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Philosophy of Right, trans. S. W Dyde (Ontario: Batoche Books,
2001), 116. https://booksdescr.org/item/index.php?md5=7A422023D0C7D9D5 (accessed April 09, 2019).

8
James McTavish, FMVD and Monica Jalandoni, “Virtues Are Back in Fashion,” Philippiniana Sacra
47, no. 139 (January-April, 2012), 29.
 5

2. What is temperance for St. Thomas Aquinas?

3. What is the significance of temperance in conscience formation?

C. Significance of the Study:

This thesis endeavour will be of great help in understanding the concept of temperance

as a virtue and as a moral guide in man’s decision in initiating an action, thus resulting

from forming his conscience and ordered life. Likewise, this virtue aims to guide man

reach his end, that is God, the Absolute Truth.

In theoretical aspect, the virtue of temperance, as one of the cardinal virtues, plays an

important role in man’s development in moral action. Through this topic, it will deepen

the awareness of every reader in the concept of this virtue. More so, this topic will show to

the readers how it contributes in forming conscience which has been taken for granted by

some individual.

In practical aspect, the readers will be enlightened and encouraged by this endeavor of

the researcher. In that way, they can influence others to practice or re-practice temperance

and to be satisfied in all things that the desire to have since they do not only live for

themselves but in a wider coverage they are being with others. Moreover, they will realize

that temperance helps them to form their conscience that has been affected due to their

inclination on evil desires.

As a seminarian, this thesis endeavour will help him to be more aware of the things

which is right and through temperance he can control himself from the possible temptation

that might linger in his seminary formation. Likewise, through this research, he can be a
 6

good example of living out this kind of cardinal virtue and to have good conscience

needed in seminary formation.

From this endeavour, too, a reader might be able to understand that temperance, as one

of the cardinal virtues of St. Thomas Aquinas, makes someone to realize that this virtue

encompasses the totality of a person in understanding its value through conscience

formation. Moreover, the researcher will further discuss that temperance and conscience

are subject matters of philosophy because there might a tendency that it can be

understood also in a theological matter. Hence, he will elaborate details that will strongly

support his contribution on this thesis proposal.

D. Review of Related Literature:

The endeavor of the researcher needs not only a deep and careful study on the Ethics

of St. Thomas Aquinas but also a profound research on various reading materials that

show relevance on his chosen topic. Using these materials, it will hugely clarify and

expand the researcher’s claim that through temperance, it can form conscience leading

man to have an ordered life and good reason. This section of Chapter One deals on the

relevance of other sources such as books, articles, thesis/dissertation and reliable online

sources to the researcher’s chosen topic as it helps toward the progress of his endeavor.
 7

Books:

Bloomfield, Paul. The Virtues of Happiness. New York: Oxford University Press.
2014.

The book started with an introduction of morality in connection with good life.

Likewise, the author rendered different virtues on attaining happiness. Through this book,

it enlightened the minds of the readers to understand what happiness really was. In

addition, this book gave information with regard to morality since it had been neglected

by many people at present and the author provided thoughts on how to attain happiness

since it was one of the important thing in man’s existence and survival.

This book had a particular section about temperance which helped in understanding

how it served as the virtue in valuing life. In Chapter Three, the author presented

temperance as “the least well- investigated and understood virtue in moral philosophy.” 9

The author also clarified that temperance was not opposed to attaining happiness as some

perceived it. Through this virtue, man has the ability to have self- discipline since this

virtue regulated his intention in doing things that had moral impact to himself. Moreover,

he discussed that through temperance, one might have self- control and became aware on

what he was doing in life and would make man to act wholeheartedly.

On the other hand, this book discussed other virtues that could help in attaining

happiness which the researcher found least necessary because he focused more on the

significance of temperance in conscience formation. Likewise it gave tips on how to be a

9
Paul Bloomfield, The Virtues of Happiness (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014), 189.
 8

happy person despite the fact that problems arose and humans were faced with different

challenges. Moreover, this book dealt on morality on its epistemological and

metaphysical view which the researcher thought not totally needed on his endeavor.

This book depicts that in order to have a happy living, one should practice virtues.

Reading all throughout this book makes someone to realize that virtues are indeed

necessary in man’s integration and understanding of himself and it will deepen one’s

knowledge of the self and persuade man to live morally and avoid what is contrary on

what is good, happy and right.

Celano, Anthony. Aristotle’s Ethics and Medieval Philosophy Moral Goodness

and Practical Wisdom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016.

Like the first book, it consisted of nine chapters and each chapter dealt mostly in

Aristotle’s Ethics and in the Medieval Philosophy. Moreover, this book attempted to give

a precise explanation on moral goodness and practical wisdom in attaining happiness.

More so, the author presented Aristotle’s notion of happiness and its relation with other

philosophers’ thinking. The author also cited selected philosophers connected on his

work and how these philosophers gave view on moral philosophy and virtues as well.

In Chapter Four, the earliest Medieval Latin commentaries gave a precise idea on

Nicomachean Ethics, which, in some aspects looked similar to the virtue of temperance

that St. Thomas Aquinas teaches. In Chapter Six, it had some discussions on moral

theories wherein William of Auxerre and Philip the Chancellor gave its discussion as it
 9

described that temperance had the capacity to discern.10 Through this discernment, man

will be able to understand what happiness is. Aside from that, the author underscored that

temperance primarily concerned on moderation which the researcher found helpful in his

endeavor.

This mostly covered on Aristotle’s works and to some medieval thinkers. Likewise,

this book did not only talk about the virtue of temperance but all subjects particularly on

how to interpret Aristotle’s Eudaimonia. The content provided some substantial

information of the different thinkers during the Medieval Ages with regard to happiness.

There were also the manner of contrasting different views of some philosophers.

The contribution of this book to the researcher’s work is that it will further deepen the

researcher’s idea on the virtue of temperance since this book provides other’s point of

views idea on temperance. Moreover, it supplements the researcher’s topic in order for

him to widen the horizon of his research perspective because Aristotle was one of the

influences of St. Thomas Aquinas particularly on his philosophical thoughts.

Clifton, Shane. Crippled Grace Disability, Virtue Ethics and the Good Life.
Texas: Baylor University Press, 2018.

The said book was comprised of nine chapters and each of this dealt with disability,

virtue, and happiness. Also, this book provided an in-depth knowledge of how the

aforementioned topics be properly discussed and enlightened the minds of the readers

10
Anthony Celano, Aristotle’s Ethics and Medieval Philosophy Moral Goodness and Practical Wisdom
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016), 72.
 10

since it presented the thoughts of different men on human experience philosophically and

how it affected human existence. The author likewise pointed out the significance of

ethics and religion in the progress of human life.

The said book had a distinction with the practicing virtue in attaining happiness. In

addition, it shows its connectivity to other topics. In Chapter Nine which was entitled

“Disability, Grace, and the Virtue of Letting Go of Control Wild and Unruly Currents”, it

mainly gave an important points on the virtue of temperance, which was one of the key

virtues in achieving happiness despite of having disability. In addition, it tackled on the

virtues under temperance which the researcher himself finds it similar on his endeavor as

it stressed that temperance is one of the key virtues in man’s life.

Likewise, this book pictured a wider discussion when it discussing about in theology

that was why there were some theological concepts in some matters. Likewise, it also

gave information on the term disability. For the author, disabled meant physical

incapacity to do what the normal people do and being excluded from the society, having

no concern for others11. The author himself had a profound discussion on disability and

its impact on people and how these people dealt with these.

This book will show that like St. Thomas Aquinas, faith and reason and inseparable

from each other as well as in the connection to the practice virtues. Finally, it showed that

despite that disability, man has the capacity to live normally with a strong belief with

God and this is what the researcher thinks contributive on his thesis process making.

Through this book, it would deepen the researcher’s understanding between the

philosophical part of disability and how it lead in developing virtue.

11
Shane Clifton, Crippled Grace Disability, Virtue Ethics and the Good Life (Texas: Baylor University
Press, 2018), 11.
 11

Shields, Christopher and Robert Pasnau. The Philosophy of Aquinas, 2nd ed. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2016.

The book had nine chapters and each dealt primarily on the life, works and philosophy

of Aquinas. Likewise, this book vividly provide information on the mentioned topics in

relation to St. Thomas Aquinas. It had an inclusive discussion on the Angelic Doctor’s

philosophy in all branches.

The book’s chapters six, eight and nine highlighted important things with regard to the

passion and most especially in virtues. Based from this book, virtues were important,

mentioning the virtue of temperance in guiding man to have a righteous life and to avoid

as much as possible evil. In addition, this book precisely described that temperance

functions in restraining man’s sensual desire. Thus, it vividly stated that through

temperance, man can be guided accordingly based on right and good.

This book provided the life of St. Thomas Aquinas beginning from his birth and also

to some metaphysical and epistemological concept of the Angelic Doctor. Likewise, the

author gave background on some matters in theological aspect of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The said book will help him to trace back how Aquinas came to the point of having

such philosophy. In addition, one chapter of this book is dedicated in the end of human

action which in a bigger part, necessary also in the researcher’s thesis proposal. The end

of this is happiness which is also important in temperance.12

12
Christopher Shields and Robert Pasnau, The Philosophy of Aquinas, 2nd ed. (New York: Oxford
University Press, 2016), 248.
 12

Timpe, Kevin and Craig A. Boyd. Virtues and their Vices. New York: Oxford
University Press. 2014.

As the title presented, the author wanted to give the different notion of virtues and

vices. He did not fail to clarify things that others asked with regard to the importance of

virtues and how it would respond to the vices that make man irrational. Supporting that,

the author wanted to have resurgence of the virtues and he wanted to show the different

functions of each virtue.

Reading Chapter Four, the writer proved that temperance was still possible as he

stated: “Temperance is thus possible because of the nature of human appetites. Because

appetites are responses to an object (perceptually presented, or imagined, or at least

thought about), like other kinds of desires they incorporate concerned understandings.” 13

In addition, the writer differentiated temperance to other virtues and he shows how

significant it is to man’s being. In relation with the researcher’s work, the author clearly

explained that temperance was important in man’s life as well as in his actions.

However, this book covered other virtues, i.e. including intellectual virtues and

theological virtues which the researcher thought not totally connected in his working

thesis proposal. However, these other virtues were helpful in the progress of his work.

Lastly, it provides information to all vital virtues necessary for man’s growth and

recognizing of one’s self. For this reason, man has the opportunity to choose virtues and

avoid vices making him to live morally and rightly.

13
Kevin Timpe and Craig A. Boyd, Virtues and Their Vices (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014),
105.
 13

Articles:

Atkins, Jed W. “Euripides’s Orestes and the Concept of Conscience in Greek

Philosophy.” Journal of the History of Ideas 75, no. 1 (January 2014): 1-22
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43289648. (accessed February 25, 2019).

This article authored by Jed Atkins showed the different views of conscience by the

selected Greek philosophers during their time. Each philosopher showed that conscience

was necessary for a man to practice it since it is part of his life. “At its most general, the

concept of conscience seems to involve the human capacity "to sense or immediately

discern that what he or she has done, is doing, or is about to do (or not do) is wrong, bad,

and worthy of disapproval.”14

The said article had explanation of what conscience was and how it should be

practiced. Similarly, it had a deep insights with the proper practice of conscience and

from this view, the researcher found it relevant from his work as it helps man to live

morally. Speaking of the relevance to the work of the researcher, this article summarized

that conscience was necessary to man in order for him to act and decide morally and

properly.

The article mainly focused on early Greeks’ conceptions of conscience and had no

discussion of Medieval Philosophy thoughts. Moreover, there was no discussion on how

conscience could be formed.

14
Jed W. Atkins, “Euripides’s Orestes and the Concept of Conscience in Greek Philosophy,” Journal of
the History of Ideas 75, no. 1 (January 2014): 4. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43289648 (accessed February
25, 2019).
 14

This article contributes to the researcher’s endeavor as it is furthered distinguish what

is the applicability of conscience to every people especially at this contemporary period

and how it will guide man to his everyday life especially on dealing with himself which

too has relation with others.

Austin, Nicholas. “Defining Temperance Causally.” Aquinas on Virtue: A Causal

Reading (2017): 3-22. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1t89k5h.6. (accessed
September 14, 2018).

This second article tackled about the mode, the matter, the subject, the target, agent,

exemplar and the causal account of this virtue. Primarily, it really talked about the virtue

of temperance as a whole and at the same time it gave some points on how St. Thomas

Aquinas defined and explained it comprehensively. Every part of the said article

contributed to the total explanation of the point of view of the author which helps the

researcher to add in his thesis endeavour.

The article pictured temperance per se in its entirety15, likewise, it further expounded

the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas on the virtue of temperance and what was its effect on

man himself especially on his actions. Lastly, this article provides a wider perspective

with regard to temperance.

This article included the causal and the mode of temperance which the researcher

would not tackle anymore because he himself found some more important points

15
Nicholas Austin, “Defining Temperance Causally,” Aquinas on Virtue: A Causal Reading (2017): 130.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1t89k5h.13 (accessed September 14, 2018).
 15

connected with temperance. Likewise, the content further provided ideas under

temperance which the researcher did not consider it anymore.

The contribution of this article to the researcher’s working endeavor is that it will

greatly help him to be more updated on the virtue of temperance and some further studies

about it since this article completely detailed what temperance is. In addition, the said

article will provide insights on how to practice this kind of virtue.

Besong, Brian. “The Prudent Conscience View.” International Philosophical

Quarterly 54, no. 2 (June 2014): 127 - 141.

The article chosen by the researcher discussed about Prudent Conscience View. The

author presented that through this non- standard account, Prudent Conscience View

would happen. Likewise, it talked about moral intuitionism and moral seemings

connected to the moral epistemology. It stated that: “For the prudent conscience view, a

properly functioning conscience confers justification onto one’s appropriately formed

moral beliefs in proportion to a person’s prudence level.”16

The researcher’s work found it similar with the article since it showed how conscience

had relativity to the faculties necessary for man to do good and avoid evil. Moreover, it

helped in the development of moral seemings necessary for etiology matters.

The article had some discussions regarding moral intuitionism, which made man to act

morally. In addition, it provided information on etiology, which was only related to the

said standard account which was yet anymore needed to the researcher’s work.

16
Brian Besong, “The Prudent Conscience View,” International Philosophical Quarterly 54, no. 2 (June
2014): 134.
 16

This article to the researcher’s pursuit shows that having a Prudent Conscience View,

man has the tendency to be in the right manner of deliberating actions without violating

moral laws that will result from having a right decision particularly on his actions. The

author himself, looks on conscience as essential factor in man’s decision making.

Garver, Eugene. “Charmides and the Virtue of Opacity: An Early Chapter of the

History of an Individual.” Review of Metaphysics 71, no. 3 (2018): 1-23.

This article by Eugene Garver gave way to fully understand the sophrosyne and the

virtue of opacity. In the introductory part of the article, the author presented the six

definitions of sophrosyne based on Plato’s work Charmides. This was a dialogue between

Socrates and Charmides and Critias. For the author, he affirmed that sophrosyne was the

ability to be, and to appear to be superior without hubris and eventually leading to the

virtue of opacity. He added, too, that as a rhetorical performance, sophrosyne was self-

contained, a performative utterance. Garver believed that knowledge of a virtue is both a

necessary and sufficient condition for its possession17.

From this article, he discussed that Socratic virtue as it required interloculators, a virtue

of transparency. Going back to the above-mentioned statement, being temperate meant to

be superior, and thus making it as an oligarchic virtue par excellence, since it was a way in

displaying one’s superiority. This virtue had personal response with political implication.

17
Eugene Garver, “Charmides and the Virtue of Opacity: An Early Chapter of the History of an
Individual,” Review of Metaphysics 71, no.3 (2018): 13.
 17

This article was divided in six parts. Each part showed the definition of sophrosyne. In

the first part, it tackled about hesychia or quietness. In addition, grace or sprezzatura was

the secret to avoid hubris and avoid falling into indolence. It required sophisticated

audience. From this point, it clarified that temperance as a virtue concerned with one how

revealed oneself to others and how one concealed oneself.

In the second part of the article, Charmides told that sophrosyne was modesty. This

(aidos) was explicitly a virtue of appearance. This virtue did not cause its spectators to

wonder about the reality behind the appearance. Again, it was an opaque virtue. Meaning

to say, a temperate did not do things excessively always looked like he had energy to

spare. In another sense, he was unreserved, he looked like nothing to hide. For the author’s

part, sophrosyne made people ashamed and bashful, and he thought modesty that it was

really sophrosyne. To make it a virtue, its connection to social status has to be opaque, it

marks one’s distinction.18 Knowledge of virtue was sufficient for it. A person considered

as temperate was someone knew what sophrosyne was, and the soul was transparent,

possession of this virtue was sufficient for knowledge of it and lastly self-knowledge was

a consuming task.

The above article vividly showed that temperance was important in one’s life and

needed in doing different things especially when it was all about fellow beings. Further,

this concept made a person to be guided in the decision he did especially in the action to

himself and towards others. Lastly, since it mostly tackled the Socratic concept of

temperance, it was, in a way showed a light metaphysical view with regard to the article

and thus, became related to the researcher’s topic.

18
Garver, “Charmides and the Virtue of Opacity: An Early Chapter of the History of an Individual,”
Review of Metaphysics (2018): 18.
 18

On the other hand, it mainly focused on the virtue of opacity as the history of the

individual. For Critias, the oligarchic nature of sophrosyne showed that its opacity was

identical with hubris while for Socrates, he would have to question the identity of virtue

and knowledge.

This article will greatly help the researcher to further develop his understanding

regarding the virtue of temperance as it encompasses different fields in relation to

understand man. Aside from that, this article has views on other virtues which somehow

related to the virtue of temperance.

Mullady, Brian. “The Virtue of Prudence and the Primacy of Conscience.” Angelicum
92, no. 3 (2015): pp. 425-446. https:/ www. Jstor. Org/ stable. 10.2307/ 26392519
(accessed February 25, 2019).

This article started with the introducing the contemporary world and the change of

moral standing within this period. In addition, the author of this article highlighted the

concrete problems that people are facing against the moral view of the Church and of the

people.

This article gave a profound knowledge with regard to conscience and how it would

be practiced properly. In addition, prudence had also major role in dealing with the

conscience which the researcher would tackle later as his work progresses. From this

view, it could be affirmed that conscience made man to act in accordance with his

conscience.
 19

The researcher’s endeavor had also its difference with this article since it tackled more

on the virtue of prudence, though important also to the researcher’s working endeavor.

Moreover, this article showed the complementarity of prudence and conscience in having

a good decision as well as right actions in life. Aside from that, it had no further

discussions on other virtues.

On this article, it enables the researcher to differentiate prudence with temperance

constructively and how temperance forms human conscience with the help of prudence

too. In the conclusion of the said article, the author affirms that “A right conscience is

inviolable. The same is not true of a mistaken conscience. To maintain that any judgment

of conscience is inviolable again contradicts logic and faith. Thomas Aquinas cannot be

used to justify these positions because they contradict objective truth.”19

Thesis/Dissertation:

Allen, Jeanne Haizhen. “Aristotle on the Pleasures of Temperance.” MA thesis

Ontario. McMaster University, (2018). https://macsphere. mcmaster. ca/ bitsream
/11375/ 23731/ allen,_ jeanne_ h _ 2018 september_ ma.pdf (accessed August 06,
2019).

Jeanne Haizhen Allen on this thesis presented Aristotle’s stand on the virtue of

temperance. Likewise, the writer of the thesis elaborated how temperance dealt on

pleasures and pain. Also, he stated that “The temperate person also in the same way

19
Brian Mullady, “The Virtue of Prudence and the Primacy of Conscience,” Angelicum 92, no. 3 (2015):
445. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26392519 (accessed February 25, 2019).
 20

desires “anything else that is pleasant,” provided that the pleasant thing satisfies three

conditions.”20 Further, he discussed on health as the temperate mode of temperance,

modes of temperate action and temperate action without bodily pleasures.

This thesis conduced to the researcher’s endeavor since he was working on the virtue

of temperance in forming conscience and how temperance will moderate man’s pleasures

and desires on bodily goods. Moreover, the author of the said thesis used Aristotle in his

thesis since Aristotle was one of the influences of St. Thomas Aquinas.

However, the thesis itself focused more on the philosophy of Aristotle which the

researcher had no absolute reliance though he also used Aristotle’s work on virtue. But,

though it was in the Aristotelian sense, there were some still points that showed

importance to the researcher’s work.

For this reason, it will contribute to the researcher’s work since it helps to deepen the

understanding on the virtue of temperance on different perspective and how it can be

applied to the present situation of people especially on dealing with bodily pleasures

which are quite difficult to resist.

20
Allen, Jeanne Haizhen. “Aristotle on the Pleasures of Temperance,” (master’s thesis, Ontario,
McMaster University, 2018), 2. https://macsphere. mcmaster. ca/ bitsream/ 11375/ 23731/ allen,_ jeanne_ h
_ 2018 september_ ma.pdf (accessed August 06, 2019)
 21

Hole, Benjamin. “Virtuous Activity is Sufficient for Happiness and Some Minimally
Favorable Circumstances are Necessary for Virtuous Activity.” Ph.D., diss.,
Washington. University of Washington. (2016). https://digital. lib.washington.edu
/researchworks/ bitstream/handle/1773/37215/Hole_ washington_0250E_16461
pdf? sequence. (accessed December 21, 2018).

This work of Benjamin Hole comprised of six chapters arranged by order of the chapter

namely: Traditional Aristotelian and Stoic Approaches to Happiness, as well as a

Nontraditional Sufficiency Thesis, Anna’s Framing and the Traditional Dispute: Living

Versus Material, Russell’s Reframing of the Dispute: Formalized Versus Embodied, A

Nontraditional Sufficiency Thesis: Virtuous Activity is Sufficient for Happiness and

Minimally Favorable Circumstances are Necessary for that Activity, A Minimum

Threshold of Favorable Circumstances Necessary for Virtuous Activity and Happiness,

and Conclusion: Different Theoretical Approaches and What we Want from a Virtue

Ethical Theory.

This dissertation showed similarity to the researcher’s work as it both dealt in the

virtue. Hole, elaborated virtue as a means in the attainment of happiness. Likewise, he

traced back the origin of this concept in his work, the same with the researcher’s

undertaking. Lastly, the work of the researcher to the dissertation of Hole showed

similarity in a way that virtue showed importance in one’s life, especially in the virtue of

temperance as it served as the means in the attainment of happiness. Thus, one of the lines

on temperance was “not merely a self-regarding virtue; it is constrained by the fine

because even the virtuous person’s temperate actions take the common good into

account.”21
21
Benjamin Hole, “Virtuous Activity Is Sufficient for Happiness and Some Minimally Favorable
Circumstances Are Necessary for Virtuous Activity,” (Ph.D., diss., University of Washington, 2016), 32.
 22

On the other hand, the difference of the two was on the concept of happiness also, he

focused more on Aristotelian’s works which the researcher in some ways used as his

support. The author, too, provided statements on how to attain happiness through virtues

and it depicted that he had emphasis on happiness rather than on virtues.

The chosen dissertation to the researcher’s work is that it renders a more

comprehensive way in understanding the virtue of temperance in view of different

researchers who extend their research in a systematic and logical presentation. Through

this virtue, one can comprehend that temperance has a big part in his life and significant to

attain his proper end.

E. Methodology:

To support his thesis proposal, the researcher used St. Thomas Aquinas’ primary works

in English. Likewise, he used secondary and tertiary sources such as valid online sources

to fully support his claim with regard to his chosen topic particularly the topic in the virtue

of temperance.

The researcher used a modified Methodological-Hermeneutic Framework. The analysis

of the data collected will be abstracted using the Methodological Hermeneutic

Framework. The “analysis of the historical context of the text (in this analysis, the

philosopher’s person disappears and only appears as an organ of language). This form of

https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/37215/Hole_washington_0250E_16
461.pdf?sequence. (accessed December 21, 2018).
 23

analysis is a generic form of analysis.”22 Then, it will focus on the “analysis of the content

of the text in the context of his life situation. (In this analysis, the language with its

customary power disappears as the organ of the philosopher as the person).”23

Aside from gathering information from this Angelic Doctor, the researcher himself

gathered books from Immaculate Conception Major Seminary and valid internet sources.

Likewise, he tried to have a research at Ateneo de Manila University’s library the Rizal

Library. Likewise, he secured data from other seminarians who have also worked on St.

Thomas Aquinas’ philosophy through asking and listening to their recommendations for

the progress of his chosen philosophical thought.

From this method, the researcher first read the basic works of Aquinas specifically his

treatise on the virtue. In addition, he used majority of his research based from the English

translation of Aquinas’ works and other secondary sources which also written by other

writers who have interest in the philosophy of Aquinas. To better equip himself with his

research, the researcher himself used all the means necessary for aiding his topic with

relevant and pertinent information using the philosophical ideas in connection with the

virtue of temperance.

The thesis endeavour will be divided into five chapters. The first chapter mainly deals

with the background of the study, the statement of the problem, significance of the study,

review of related literature, scope and limitations, methodology and definition of terms.

In the second chapter, the researcher will discuss St. Thomas Aquinas’ notion of

conscience as the starting point of his proposal thesis. In the third chapter, the researcher

will further elaborate what the virtue of temperance is all about. In the fourth chapter, the
22
Emmanuel Batoon, A Guide to Thesis Writing in Philosophy Part I: Proposal Writing (Manila: REJN
Publishing, 2005), 62.

23
Ibid.
 24

researcher will explain the how the virtue of temperance leads man to form his own

conscience. On the fifth chapter, the researcher will provide the summary, conclusions and

recommendations of his thesis proposal.

e. 1. Scope:

This thesis endeavour that the researcher undertakes will deal only in the virtue of

temperance towards conscience formation. Likewise, it focuses on St. Thomas Aquinas’

works primarily the Summa Theologica. In addition, he will use sources in connection

with Thomistic concept of virtues and conscience. As part of his critical pursuit on this

thesis proposal, the researcher will also rely on the different works of people who

specializes on the philosophical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. The researcher also

prioritizes on the cardinal virtue of St. Thomas Aquinas and some of the works of other

philosophers with regard to the concept of temperance and on conscience.

e. 2. Limitation:

The researcher heavily adapted the English translation of all St. Thomas Aquinas’

works. In addition, the researcher consulted writers and authors dealing in St. Thomas

Aquinas’ thoughts who used English as the medium of interpretation and explanation of

St. Thomas Aquinas works. Finally, the researcher, carefully distinguished the

philosophical from theological views of St. Thomas Aquinas on his thesis endeavor.
 25

F. Definition of Terms:

This study primarily discusses the virtue of temperance in forming conscience, the

researcher decided to define some technical terms to fully grasp the message of his

endeavour to the readers who wish to have an enlightenment regarding his chosen topic

and he sees connected to his entire work.

Concupiscence: It defines as craving for pleasant. Now concupiscence refers to the union

of soul and body. Hence, it belongs to the sensitive appetite.24

Conscience: It “implies the relation of knowledge to something: for conscience maybe

resolved into “cum alio scientia,” i.e. knowledge applied to an individual case.”25

Ethics: It comes “from the Greek ethos which means ‘habit’ or ‘custom.’ It is also called

morals from the Latin mos (plural: mores), which means ‘custom,’ in the sense of natural

inclination to act with an intention, i.e. with direction to an end.

Forming: For the researcher’s endeavour, it means to develop or to settle things that need

to be considered. Likewise, he developed it from St. Thomas Aquinas’ metaphysical

notion of form.

Temperance: It is a virtue that “inclines man to something in accordance with reason. In

addition, it denotes a kind of moderation, is chiefly concerned with those passions that

tend towards sensible goods, viz. desire and pleasure.26”

24
ST I-II, q.30. a.1.

25
ST I, q.79. a.13.

26
26
ST II-II, q.141. aa.1&3.
 26

Virtue: It means perfection of power…and reference to power and to act. It cannot belong

to body but proper to the soul. Hence, it refers to an act and it implies that it is an

operative habit.27

27
ST I-II, q.55. a.2.