Virtue and Happiness (Aquinas 101)

Summary

In this video, the concept of virtue as the path to true happiness is explored through the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Drawing an analogy to mastering a skill like playing the piano, the script emphasizes that virtues—such as intellectual, moral, and theological virtues—are essential to human flourishing. Morality, according to Aquinas, is not about following rules but about pursuing what is truly good. The ultimate goal in life, as Aquinas argues, is not worldly achievements but attaining God, which brings lasting happiness through divine grace and the cultivation of virtues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Virtue is the path to happiness according to St. Thomas Aquinas, and it is essential for flourishing in any human activity.
• 😀 Becoming a concert pianist or excelling in any other field requires the acquisition of specific skills, habits, and virtues, not just technical knowledge.
• 😀 Success in life—whether as a student, a professional, or a parent—requires developing certain virtues to align with one's goals.
• 😀 Virtues are dispositions of character that enable us to act well, with ease, freedom, and creativity in pursuit of our goals.
• 😀 St. Thomas Aquinas believes that true happiness is attainable, but only by aligning our lives with what is truly good for us.
• 😀 For Aquinas, morality is not about obeying rules but about striving to attain what will bring us true and lasting happiness.
• 😀 Intellectual, moral, and theological virtues are key in achieving true human flourishing, as each virtue perfects different capacities and powers within us.
• 😀 Happiness is not a feeling or emotion; it is the activity of living well according to our nature and pursuing what is truly good for us.
• 😀 We often experience unhappiness when we lack a larger goal or purpose in life, which is essential for human fulfillment.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of human life, according to Aquinas, is union with God, who is the infinite and perfect good, and this is the final end of our existence.
• 😀 The moral life involves understanding what is truly good for us and organizing our lives in a way that moves us toward this ultimate goal.
• 😀 Human beings have inherited disordered passions due to the Fall, which can distort our perception of good, but virtue helps realign our desires with reason and divine truth.

Q & A

What does St. Thomas Aquinas believe is the path to happiness?

St. Thomas Aquinas believes that virtue is the path to happiness. He argues that acquiring virtues enables us to live in a way that leads to deep and lasting happiness.

How does the analogy of becoming a concert pianist relate to achieving happiness?

The analogy of becoming a concert pianist illustrates how achieving any high-level human goal requires training, practice, and the development of specific skills and virtues. Just as a pianist must acquire musical skills and good habits, we must develop virtues to achieve a flourishing life.

What role do virtues play in human success and flourishing?

Virtues are crucial for success and flourishing because they shape our habits, character traits, and dispositions, which enable us to perform well in any activity—whether it be in music, law, or personal life—while enjoying freedom and creativity.

What is Aquinas' view on morality?

For Aquinas, morality is not about following external rules or commandments; rather, it is about understanding what is truly good for us and arranging our lives to pursue that good, which ultimately leads to our flourishing.

How does Aquinas define happiness?

Aquinas defines happiness not as a fleeting emotion, but as the activity of living a life well, by attaining what is truly good for us. Happiness is found in fulfilling our higher purpose and living according to what is truly good.

Why do human beings tend to be unhappy, according to Aquinas?

Human beings tend to be unhappy when they feel purposeless or when they are not able to orient their lives toward a higher, overarching goal. This lack of purpose leads to dissatisfaction and frustration.

What does Aquinas say about the role of desires and passions in moral life?

Aquinas believes that our desires and passions are often disordered due to the Fall of humanity. These passions can lead us away from what is truly good, but acquiring virtues helps bring these desires under control, allowing us to live in accordance with reason and our true good.

What is the 'final end' or ultimate goal of human life, according to Aquinas?

Aquinas argues that the final end or ultimate goal of human life is union with God. God, being the infinite and perfect good, is the only thing that can fully satisfy our desires and lead to lasting happiness.

How does Aquinas distinguish between different goals in life?

Aquinas distinguishes between various goals, such as money, honor, power, fame, and pleasure. While these goals may provide temporary satisfaction, none of them can fulfill us in a lasting way. Only the pursuit of God as the final end can bring true and enduring happiness.

What role do theological virtues play in achieving happiness?

Theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—are essential for achieving happiness, as they align our lives with God, who is the ultimate source of happiness. With the help of God's grace, these virtues elevate our natural capacities, allowing us to experience the greatest possible happiness.