Die Hoffnung und das gute Leben. Überlegungen im Anschluss an Platon und Thomas von Aquin
Hope and a good life. Reflections concerning Plato and Thomas Aquinas
Author(s): Friedo SJ RickenSubject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej
Keywords: hope; Plato; Thomas Aquinas; good; the virtue of hope; the emotion of hope
Summary/Abstract: Hope is a necessary condition of a good life, and a good life provides a basis for hope. Saint Thomas Aquinas distinguishes between hope as an emotion and hope as a virtue. The emotion of hope is a sensual quest, whose object is defined by four features: (a) it is a good; hope is thus distinct from fear, which refers to an evil; (b) it is a future good; hope is thus distinct from joy, which refers to a present good; (c) it is a good difficult to obtain; hope is thus distinct from desire; (d) despite difficulty, this good is obtainable; hope is thus distinct from despair. The virtue of hope is an attitude of the will, or a spiritual quest. The object of hope is a future good, which is attainable although with difficulty. Something is attainable for ourselves, or through ourselves, or through others. If we have hope that something is attainable for us with divine help, hope rests in God.
Journal: Kultura i Wartości
- Issue Year: 2014
- Issue No: 12
- Page Range: 63-74
- Page Count: 12
- Language: German