Posts by Guest Contributor
Cardinal Virtues
The moral virtues were the subject of our last post. If intellectual virtues perfect the intellect, the moral virtues perfect the appetite, whether rational or sensitive. The passions or emotions are real elements in the moral life, not to be degraded or rejected but integrated into the complete moral picture. True, they are a function…
Moral Virtues
Last time, we discussed the so-called intellectual virtues, those habits that perfect the speculative intellect (understanding, knowledge, and wisdom), and those that perfect the practical intellect (art and prudence). It makes sense that we need such virtues, since the intellect is manifestly of supreme importance in human life and activity. But what about the moral…
Book Review: St. John’s Gospel Study Guide and Commentary
Book Review: The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible The Gospel According to Saint John With Introduction, Commentary, and Notes by Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch and with Study Questions by Dennis Walters and St. John’s Gospel A Bible Study Guide and Commentary Author: Stephen K. Ray Publishers : Ignatius Press–Augustine Institute For over four years…
Intellectual Virtues
Intellectual Virtues We saw last time that St. Thomas divides virtues into intellectual and moral. He does this because human beings have two principles of action: the intellect and the appetite. Let’s start with the intellectual virtues. The intellect is that which is highest in man. It should go without saying, then, that we need…