E th ic s

Cha pt e r9
odul e 3.2
Gro up 3 M
 Ethics
 Ethics (Moral Philosophy)
 Is the discipline concerned with:
 what is morally good and bad and
morally right and wrong.
 The term is also applied to any system or theory of moral
values or principles …
 Ethics is closely connected to value theory which studies
what value is and what types of value there are.
Ethics
 Two related empirical fields are:

 1. moral psychology, which investigates psychological

moral processes, and
 2. descriptive ethics,
 which provides value-neutral descriptions of the
dominant moral codes and beliefs in different societies.
 St. Thomas Aquinas and ethics
 Thomas Aquinas was the greatest of the Scholastic philosophers.

 he stands as a pivotal figure in the history of ethics, offering profound

insights into the:
 nature of morality,
 human conduct, and
 the pursuit of good life within a philosophical and theological framework.
 The Components of Aquinas’s
Ethics
 Natural law theory posits that there are certain inherent moral principles that govern human
behavior. These principles are believed to derived from nature or reason and are considered to
be universal applicable.
 Virtue theory, on the other hand, focuses on the development of virtuous character traits as the
key to living a morally good life.
 The interdependence between natural law theory and virtue theory lies in their mutual
reinforcement and support:

A. Moral Guidance

B. Human Flourishing

C. Ethical Decision-Making
1.Aquinas’ Natural Law Theory
 Defined as “God’s plan for the universe” that is rooted in a theological perspective, particularly
within the context of religious thought.
 According to this view, natural law is seen as a set of moral principles that reflects the divine order
and purpose established by a higher power, commonly referred to as God.

A. Divine Origin – In the theological interpretation, natural law is considered to emanate from God.

B. Universal Morality – Natural law, as God’s plan, is believed to encompass universal moral
principles applicable to all human beings

C. Human Rationality – According to this perspective, humans possess the capacity for reason,
which allows them to discern and understand the moral order inherent in the natural law.

D. Moral Accountability – The governance of human actions by natural law implies a moral
accountability to God.

E. Theological Perspective – The understanding of natural law as God’s plan often adopts a
teleological perspective, emphasizing the ultimate purpose or ends for which human are
 Natural law
Natural law is conceived as God’s plan for the universe, providing a
moral framework that governs human action and guides individuals
towards moral virtue and fulfillment.

The assertion that good for human beings is to act in accordance with
eternal law underscores the belief that living a virtuous life aligned
with objective moral principles leads to genuine human fulfillment
and the realization of one’s inherent potential.
 2. Aquinas’ Virtue Theory
Aquinas identifies two main types of virtues:

1) Theological virtues – These are faith, hope, and charity (or love).
Aquinas argues that these virtues are infused into the human soul by
God and are necessary for attaining supernatural happiness or
salvation.

2) Cardinal virtues – Aquinas adopts the cardinal virtues from classical

philosophy, particularly Aristotle. These are prudence, justice,
fortitude, and temperance.
 Virtue Theory
Virtues play a crucial role in Aquinas’s understanding of achieving the ultimate goal of
eternal life with God. According to Aquinas, virtue are essential because they shape the
character and conduct of individuals in alignment with divine will and natural law

1) Preparation for eternal life: Virtues, both theological and cardinal, prepare
individuals for eternal life by orienting them towards God and fostering a life of
moral excellence.

2) Moral alignment: Virtues help individuals align their actions with the divine order
and moral principles.
 Virtue Theory
3) Transformation of character: Virtues contribute to the transformation of
character, molding individuals into virtuous beings who reflect the moral
attributes of God.

4) Unity with God: Ultimately, virtues lead individuals to union with God, the
ultimate source of goodness and fulfillment.
 virtues are essential for achieving the ultimate goal of eternal life with God as
they prepare individuals for divine communion, align their actions with moral
principles, transform their character, and foster unity with God. By cultivating
virtues, individuals embark on a journey of spiritual growth and strive towards
the fulfillment of their ultimate destiny in union with God for all eternity.
 Application of Aquinas’s Ethics
Aquinas’s ethical principles can be applied to various moral issues to provide guidance
on how individuals should act in particular situations. Here are a few examples:

1) Just war theory: Aquinas’s ethics can be applied to the concept of just war. According
to Aquinas, war can be morally justified if it meets certain criteria, such as being
declared by a legitimate authority, having a just cause, and being a waged with
intention of restoring peace and justice.

2) Business ethics: in the realm of business ethics, Aquinas’s principles can guide
decision-making regarding fair treatment of employees customers, and stakeholders.

3) Medical ethics: Aquinas’s ethics can inform ethical considerations in healthcare, such
as end-of-life care and medical decision-making.
 Application of Aquinas’s Ethics
4) Environmental Ethics: Aquinas’s emphasis on stewardship and
common good can be applied to environmental ethics.

5) Bioethics: in the field of bioethics, Aquinas’s ethics can provide

insight into ethical dilemmas related to issues such as genetic
engineering, cloning, and biomedical research.
 Application of Aquinas’s Ethics
How Aquinas’s theory considers factors such as self-preservation, raising children, and
living society.

1) Self-Preservation: Aquinas believed that self-preservation is fundamental aspect of

human nature, rooted in the instinct for self-preservation found in all living beings.

2) Raising Children: Aquinas recognized the importance of procreation and the raising of
children in human society.

3) Living in Society: Aquinas acknowledge that humans are social beings who naturally
live and interact with others in society.
 Aquinas’s ethical theory consider factors such as self preservation, raising children, and
living in society within the framework of natural law. He believed that these aspect of
human life are essential for achieving human flourishing and should be guided by reason
 Criticisms and Relevance
1) Complexity: Aquinas’s ethical framework , based on natural law theory, can be complex and
difficult to understand.

2) Lack of clarity: Critics argue that Aquinas’s ethics lack clear and precise criteria for determining
the morality of specific actions.

3) Religious foundation: Aquinas’s ethics are deeply rooted in his Christian beliefs and theological
framework

4) Teleological nature: Aquinas’s ethics are teleological, meaning they focus on the end goal or
purpose of an action.

5) Natural law theory: Aquinas’s reliance on natural law theory as the basis for his ethics has been
criticized for its reliance on the idea of fixed human nature and its potential to oversimplify the
complexities of human morality and behavior.
 Overall, while Aquinas’s ethics have been highly influential in the history of philosophy, they are not
without their criticisms, particularly regarding their complexity, lack of clarity, and their theological
 Criticisms and Relevance
1) Natural law: Aquinas grounded his ethical theory in natural law, which assert that there
are objective moral principles derived from human nature and the rational order of the
universe.

2) Human flourishing: Aquinas emphasized the concept of human flourish, or

“eudaimonia”, as the ultimate goal of ethical action.

3) Teleology: Aquinas’s ethical framework is teleological, meaning it is concerned with the

ultimate purpose or end of human life.

4) Integration of faith and reason: Aquinas sought to integrate faith and reason in his ethical
theory, drawing both philosophical inquiry and Christian theology.

5) Universal Principles: Aquinas’s ethics provides framework for articulating universal

moral principles that apply to all human beings, regardless of religious beliefs or cultural
3.2 Ethics
THE PHILOSOPHY OF AQUINAS

9.2.3 the passion

9.3 VIRTUE
9.3.1 The need for virtue
9.3.2 the perfection of virtue
9.3.3 prudence
9.4 conclusion
9.2.3 the passion
- Aquinas’s conception of the relationships
between sensual desire, human virtue, and
grace.
- The law of nature and also the law of sin
(or the law
of desire)
-God’s eternal providence—it does not
follow that we should put equal
trust in all our beliefs and desires
9.2.3 the passion
“the good of a human being qua human
being is that his reason has
com_x0002_pletely grasped the truth and
that his lower appetites are regulated as
reason’s rule requires”

- In cases of conflict, the higher inclinations

have priority
- “one should act in accord with reason”
- foundations of morality and basic and
basic moral principles
9.3 VIRTUE

- The Theory of
Natural Law
Explaining both the Foundation of Ethics
and our Knowledge of it. Actions are right
or wrong in as much as they are more or
less conducive to our ultimate interest.
9.3.1 The need for virtue
“A Virtue is a habitus that informs a
reason-governed power in such a way as to
perfect the activity of that power.”
- Habitus in Aquinas term is a kind of
desposition, one that is acquired rather
than natural.
9.3.2 the perfection of
virtue
- Virtues guarantee right actions
- Two things are required for an
act’s perfection: first, the act must
be right, second the (underlying)
desposition (habitus) must be
incapable of being the source of
contrary act.
- No Action that is caused by virtue
can be immoral.
 9.3.3 prudence

- is a skill at practical reasoning that

allows one to see what ought to be
done in particular circumstances.
- prudence perfects all the moral
virtues in the appetitive part, each of
which produce an inclination in
appetite to some kind of human good
- Rightness and full goodness in all
the other virtues come from prudence
 9.3.3 prudence

- Practical knowledge includes

universal judgement about what one
should do.

- Prudence is the judgement in a

perception of the situation or facts
that are based in virtue and the
rightness and goodness of a man.
9.4
The conclusion
interest of Aquinas’s moral theory lies in the
details. He offers no dramatic and memorable theses
or catch phrases, but only a careful and patient
analysis of ethical conduct in all of its intricacy.

Rather than supposing that earlier theories of ethics

got things wrong, Aquinas’s tendency
is to suppose that these theories were partially right
and need only to
be synthesized into a more comprehensive theory that
does justice to
the full complexity of moral behavior.