The Thomistic Institute Aquinas on the Final Purpose of Human Existence and Human Prudence | Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.
Feb 8, 2021
Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P. discusses Aquinas' view on morality, happiness, and prudence. They explore the pursuit of common goods, shared life with God, and balancing moral wisdom in pandemic decisions. The podcast delves into human purpose, final pursuits, and navigating political ideologies in society
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Morality Framed As Pursuit Of Happiness
- Aquinas frames morality as the rational pursuit of happiness (eudaimonia) rather than mere law conformity, utility, or pleasure.
- He treats goods and evils as objective: pursuing goods (e.g., friendship) enables flourishing while corruptive acts undermine happiness.
Prudence Orders Means To Final Ends
- Aquinas insists moral action orders means to final ends, so prudence evaluates which goods to prioritize.
- Practical decisions (feeding an infant vs. studying philosophy) show ends vs means hierarchies shape character and choices.
Common Good As Shared Communal Life
- The common good is shared participatory life, not mere distribution of resources.
- Example: family or university learning is a collective enjoyment that cannot be reduced to dividing a 'pizza' of goods among individuals.