Fr. Nicholas Lombardo, OP, professor of theology at Catholic University of America, delivered a talk entitled “Virtue and Emotion in St. Thomas Aquinas” on March 6.
In his lecture, sponsored by the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, Fr. Lombardo observed that many are surprised to discover that emotion has a place in the works of Aquinas, who is well-known for his very thorough but perhaps dry theological analyses. Aquinas, in an attempt to maintain a proper academic tone, avoided making arguments in such a way as to incite emotional responses in the reader. One of the most pivotal sections of his work, however, is his treatise on the passions, written in 1271.
This monumental treatise, Fr. Lombardo argued, set the agenda for future generations. He argued that subsequent writings on the passions, such as Descartes’, must be seen as responses to Aquinas’ work and lamented the neglect of Aquinas’ writings on the passions. He compared the SUMMA to a large church in the segment on emotions is the nave, while the other parts are but side chapels.
Fr. Lombardo described Aquinas’ work on the passions as synthesis of psychology and ethics. Having been taught by Albert the Great, Aquinas was profoundly influenced by the earliest forms of Dominican spirituality.
Dominican spirituality affirms the basic goodness of creation. God’s commandments, far from contradicting the natural desires of human beings, are meant to help guide them. Aquinas acknowledges that human passions can lead to destruction, but he also affirms the value and necessity of natural desires. Whereas Christian thinkers like St. Bonaventure saw the passions as fundamentally opposed to goodness and virtue, Aquinas argued that emotions guide us toward virtue, just as fear sharpens the mind to deal with immediate danger.
True moral virtue consists of harmony between emotion and reason. Reason is not to be used to eradicate emotion, but to guide it. Aquinas pointed out that even Christ experienced emotions and appetites, and that anger, joy, and sorrow can be the appropriate, virtuous responses to particular situations. In fact, according to Aquinas, the continual perfection of the virtues results in stronger passions.
Rationality and emotionality provide mutual guidance, though both functions, since fallen, are capable of error. Emotions, rightly ordered in accordance with reason, coincide with moral goodness as well as general human flourishing.
It was in reaction to over-emphasis on reason in philosophy that both Aquinas and David Hume defended the legitimacy of the passions. Unlike Hume, however, Aquinas allowed reason a greater role than seeking the most efficient means to satisfy one’s appetites.
Aquinas’ approach to emotions, Fr. Lombardo said, has had a hidden influence in modern psychology as well as philosophy. For example, Fr. Lombardo believes that the well-known twentieth century psychologist Madga Arnold echoes a Thomistic approach to the human person. The famous contemporary Thomist philosopher Anthony Kenny has also placed great emphasis on the interaction between virtue and emotion.
Greer Hannan, events and planning coordinator for the Center for Ethics and Culture, was pleased to observe that the lecture was well-attended.
“Thomism was traditionally one of the strengths of Notre Dame’s philosophy department, so I was particularly pleased to see so many undergraduate students in attendance,” she said. “It attests to the timeless relevance of St. Thomas’ thought in wrestling with these great questions of virtue, emotion, and the human person.”
Timothy Kirchoff is a sophomore political science major who entertains no illusions of being able to read the Angelic Doctor for himself and so is dependent on the patience of his friends in the philosophical and theological disciplines. Seek him in his dwelling place of Dillon Hall or write him at tkirchof@nd.edu.
