The Thomistic Institute Aquinas on the Stages of Human Action: Part 1 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
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Jul 3, 2019 Fr. James Brent, O.P., a Dominican priest, delves into Aquinas' perspective on human action, free will, and happiness. Topics include the interplay between intellect and will, the pursuit of ultimate happiness through choices, the balance of good and bad in decision-making, and the complexities of virtue and errors in judgment.
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Intellect And Will Constitute Mind
- Intellect and will are uniquely human powers constituting the mind (mens) for Aquinas.
- Human acts properly proceed from intellect and will, distinguishing us from animals.
Reason Can Know Moral Truths
- Intellect's object is truth, including truths about the good; reason can grasp moral truths.
- Aquinas rejects the modern split that separates facts from values and incapacitates reason on the good.
Will Is Appetite For The Apprehended Good
- Will is an appetite: a hunger for the apprehended good, so loving is its primary act.
- You cannot will what you do not intellectually apprehend as good.