MEANING OF VIRTUE IN THOMAS AQUINAS

by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

In this article a catholic theologian examines the relationship between the virtues in Greek thought and the development of Aristotle by Thomas Aquinas.  Following the fall of Moslem Toledo to the Christians in 1085 the works of Aristotle were re-discovered by the west and Aquinas sought to reconcile Aritotle's ideas with Christianity, producing his own version of the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude) and three theological virtues (faith, hope and love).  PMB