The Moral Philosophy of Lucretius and Aquinas: Competing Ends and Means Cover Image

The Moral Philosophy of Lucretius and Aquinas: Competing Ends and Means
The Moral Philosophy of Lucretius and Aquinas: Competing Ends and Means

Author(s): Jason Nehez
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: International Étienne Gilson Society
Keywords: Lucretius; Thomas Aquinas; end; means; atomism; Thomism; wisdom; moral philosophy; human nature; soul; faculty psychology; ethics; happiness; virtue; human person;

Summary/Abstract: The author first explains wisdom and its importance to moral philosophy. Secondly, he follows with a consideration of the nature of things and the soul as told by Lucretius. Then he presents a brief summary on St. Thomas understanding of soul and how his faculty psychology is a superior explanation of moral philosophy. The author concludes by showing how Lucretius’ ethical system fails and to attain true happiness we must take up a faculty psychology aimed at virtue and the perfection of the soul, the principle form of the human person.

  • Issue Year: 10/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 293-319
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: English
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