Morality Vis-a-vis Reason In Aquinas Philosophy: A Critical Analysis
Abstract
I intend to expose the indepth meaning of reason and morality using man as the major point on this discussion, due to the advanced rational faculty he retain over other brutes. We shall also answer the question as has reason any influence or party to play in morality? Or put simply, is reason inescapably needed for man to be moral? If yes, should reason be the sole data for morality? But if no, what also? This work is going to be base substantially on reason and morality in Thomas Aquinas Philosophy.
To unfold this, this work will be grounded on four chapters. We’re going to see how morality should be guided by reason. In Chapter One, study of the introductory aspect and in chapter two, we shall examine originally, the life and workshop of Aquinas, in the alternate part of Chapter Two, we shall examine the meaning and notion of morality by giving it’s description and several generality of it. In the third part of chapter two, we shall sketch the nature of morality. Chapter three unfolds a devotion of reason in a shot to give it’s meaning, we shall define it and also examine it’s nature. Also, we shall consider the part of reason as a companion in other aspects of man’s geste and the part of reason as a companion in morality.
In chapter four, we shall be concerned with “ the good of man ”. We shall bandy life according to the mandate of reason, prudence and right reason as Aquinas would call it. The last in chapter four aimed at evaluation and conclusion.
Table Of Contents
Title Runner——— i
Instrument——— ii
Fidelity——— iii
Acknowledgement——– iv
Abstract——— v
Table of Content——– vi
Chapter One
General Introduction
Background of Study——- 1
Statement of Problem—— 3
Purpose of Study——– 5
Significance of Study——- 5
compass of Study——– 6
Methodology of Study——- 6
References——— 8
CHAPTER TWO AQUINAS, REASON AND MORALITY
Life and workshop of Aquinas—— 9
Faith and Reason——– 11
The Metaphysical order of Finite Beings—- 12
Quinque Viae——- 14
Knowledge of Reality——- 17
Ethics——— 18
Political proposition——– 19
Concluding commentary——- 19
The Meaning of Reason—— 20
description of Reason——- 20
The Meaning and Nature of Morality—– 26
description of Morality——- 27
The Nature of Morality——- 29
References——— 34
CHAPTER THREE AQUINAS ON REASON/ MORALITY
Aquinas on Reason——- 36
Aquinas on Morality—— 38
Morality Vis- À- Vis Reason in Aquinas Philosophy– 40
The part of Reason as a companion in other aspects of Man’s Behaviour – 45
References——— 50
CHAPTER FOUR LIFE ACCORDING TO REASON, PRUDENCE AND RIGHT REASON
Life According to the Dictate of Reason—- 51
Prudence——— 55
Domestic Prudence——- 58
Regnant Prudence——– 58
Right Reason——- 59
The Dictate of Right Reason—– 61
The Habit of Rational Principles—– 62
Direction to an End——- 62
The Ideal of Right Reason—— 63
Evaluation and Summary—— 64
Conclusion——– 67
Bibliography——– 71
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Man has been linked and defined as a rational beast, piecemeal from rationality, which distinguishes him from other creatures, he’d just be a beast in geste and man in physical structure. In this regard,G. Buffen, said that there’s an horizonless distance between man and creatures, and the essential cause of this is that man is one without reason.
In the same vain, Aristotle maintained that reason, which is the loftiest faculty of the soul, is what sets man piecemeal from bestial nature. The question now is, why and how is man rational and in what aspects of his life is he different from other creatures and what factor is behind these? It has been noticed that man is simply marked out from other creatures as regard social, artistic and intellectual forms of geste . It’s only man that has an articulated speech, inventive capability, knowledge of trades, beauty, politics, religion, morality and other forms of knowledge that can be associated with reason.
So man is, as a result of this rationality marked out from other creatures, it isn’t contestable also to associate or attribute the below enumerated characteristics to his rationality.
As this work centers on morality and reason as that which assures us of the stylish moral life, we shall answer similar questions as has reason any influence or part to play in morality? Or put simply, is reason inescapably needed for man to be moral? If yes, should reason be the sole factor for morality? But if no, what also? It’s undebatable that man solely has the knowledge of good and evil( morality) and this type of knowledge can be held only by rational beings. In fact, God made man rational enough to see that he( man) should do what’s right.
Having known that man surpasses all the other creatures by the possession of reason, and the only beast that has knowledge of morality, the question now is, is man moral because of reason or because of some other physiological factors? If it’s because of the ultimate, one can correctly pose this question Why is it that other creatures are ignorant of morality or aren’t moral?
Aquinas, on whom this work is grounded, has proffered a popular dictum regarding man and reason. It’s “ Bonum omins est, Secundum rationem esse ”, that is,( The good of man in life according to reason). As we shall see, this statement doesn’t rule out the fact that mortal life can be controlled by other factors like the will, habit, heartstrings, emotion etc, but it affirms that man has a good life according to reason. One outstanding point about Aquinas moral proposition is it’s intellectualism. This will be gradationally unfolding as we access into this work.
In this four chapter work, we’re going to see how morality should be guided by reason.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
There are certain conduct which all of us will collectively or inclusively condemn as innocently wrong and ought not to be done or performed by anybody. For case, murder, thievery, embezzlement of public finances, bribery and corruption, and so on. On the other hand, there are certain conduct like kindness, hospitality, honesty and so on, which are considered as innocently good. Again, there are certain kinds of action that don’t enjoy universal agreement on their virtuousness or vileness, rightness or impropriety because of difference in opinion, for case, revocation, contraception euthanasia, nuclear warfareetc.
The need now arises for us to know why in Aquinas gospel, certain conduct are considered good while others are considered bad. What in Aquinas view, is the mark for determining good and bad conduct and what’s the paradigm for measuring similar conduct. What, within the hypotheticals of Aquinas, does it ever mean to say that an action is good or bad in itself? Or, is it our thinking that makes any action good or bad?
Some people, like Hume, editorialized that reason is and ought to be the slave of the heartstrings, and can noway pretend to any other office than to serve and observe them. They editorialized that morality is determined by sentiments.
Also, some proponents like Aquinas, the stoic importunities Scotus and so on, supposed that right reason is the moral standard. Accordingly, what ever is in line with right reason is innocently wrong. But how does one known whether revocation, euthanasia, contraception etc, conforms to right reason, especially when there are numerous intelligent and forceful argument for or against the morality of these conditions?
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The main purpose of this exploration/ work study is to critically dissect the colorful notion of morality and reason, also, see how morality is been guided by reason, in respect to “ Thomas Aquinas. ” It’s also intended towards serving as an motivation for perfecting the position of understanding of morality and reason by forthcoming scholars of Nigeria University and tertiary institutions likewise.
This work- study is also intended to throw further light on reason and moral ideas, principles and benefits.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
One of the significance of this work study is that it exposes the beautification of morality and reason in general. This study will also enable us to critically separate between the ancient and ultramodern generalities of morality and reason.
It’ll be of great benefit, if man observed, and make good use of his rationality and moral values in order to produce and dwell in a bettersociety.However, man and his society will enhance thereby discomfiting immorality and illogical station, If this is done.
Another significance of this design/ work study is that it seeks to expose some of the setbacks that are essential in man’s approach to morality and reason.
compass OF STUDY
Aquinas interpretation of morality vis- à- vis reason, which is in line with the precept of mortal bid and his terrain from the introductory line of attention in this exploration/ work study. The different notion of morality and reason will also be given pre-eminence and special attention with a view of critically assessing them.
METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
The methodology of a work determines it’s specialty says Aristotle. The system shows how a thing is done. It’s in the light of this fact that i’ve decided to borrow the massive use of literal and critical styles of philosophical enquiry, other methodologies to be used in this exploration/ work study include the elaborate discussion of other applicable philosophical, religious books, literature, papers and authorities.
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