Aquinas & The Cardinal Virtues

About this course:

The goal of the Christian life is union with God, which is our beatitude, or true and lasting happiness. In this course, we will learn about the cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance (as well as about other related virtues grouped under these headings), which St. Thomas Aquinas teaches are good habits that help us along our way to union with God. We will also discuss how certain virtues are related to our living out of natural law, and others help us to moderate our passions or desires. Again, for Aquinas, the virtuous life is not about mere duty or obligation, nor is it a kind of stoicism. Rather, it is about human flourishing in the best sense, according to the way God made us and as the only way in which we can truly be fulfilled and happy forever.

This course will primarily utilize St. Thomas’s Summa theologiae, and will include opportunities for discussion and questions.

By Sr. Mary Magdalene Eitenmiller, O.P.

This course will be recorded and the course material will be available via an online portal.

Price £230.00

You will receive the Zoom details in your confirmation email when you sign up.

If you require any further details please email Adele at: [email protected]

Week 1: Introduction to St. Thomas, Why Study Aquinas? Our Ultimate End which is Beatitude (Beatific Vision Human habits / virtues and vices; Acquired vs infused virtues; Intellectual vs. Moral Virtues; Cardinal vs. Theological Virtues; Mean, Connection, Equality and Duration of Virtues; Gifts, Beatitudes and Fruits

Week 2: Prudence and Parts of Prudence, Gift of Counsel; Virtues Connected with Prudence, Vices of Imprudence and Negligence

Week 3: Justice and Parts of Justice, Religion, Devotion; Injustice against Neighbor, Vices against Religion

Week 4: Natural Law and Justice

Week 5: Passions of the Soul

Week 6: Fortitude and Parts of Fortitude, Patience and Perseverance, Gift of Fortitude; Vices of Presumption, Ambition, Vainglory, Pusillanimity; Vices Opposed to Perseverance

Week 7: Temperance: Abstinence, Fasting vs. Gluttony, Sobriety vs. Drunkenness; Virginity vs. Lust, Continence vs. Incontinence; Clemency vs. Anger, Cruelty; Humility vs Pride; Studiousness vs Curiosity; Modesty; Moral Virtues and the Contemplative Life

Week 8: Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Grace and Merit, Deification

Host or Publisher The Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology