The Assent to Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

In studying ethics, St. Thomas Aquinas explains that the mere study of ethics does not translate into the operation of prudence as a virtue. St. Paul would say something similar, whereby the study of the law does not translate ipsofacto to living according to the law’s spirit. Now the term spirit here does not mean to capture an emotional disposition, but the disposition of the whole person (heart, mind and will), whereby the totality of the person assents to the truth, goodness and beauty of human behavior.

This is an important principle for all of us who as Catholics emphasize the importance of “catechesis” within the Church. Studying the faith can dispose the mind towards the practical virtues, but such acquired virtues can only be truly ours if we train our very flesh in the exercise of what we’ve learned. 

Therefore, let me set it down for you in this way: when learning something about the natural virtues and morality in general, do not only contemplate that knowledge but discover a way to inform your flesh through singular acts (those acts which are not purely the exercise of intellect). For instance, if you learn that you should care for the poor – go do it.  Sign up at a soup kitchen. If you learn that possessing too much will enslave you, sell or give away a piece of your own property. 

When you move from the speculative to the practical, you integrate  what you’ve learned in the totality of yourself.

Photo: Ben White, Unsplash / PD-US

Fr. Christopher Pietraszko

Fr. Christopher Pietraszko

Fr. Christopher Pietraszko serves in the Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada. He has a blog and podcast at Fides et Ratio; he also blogs at Father Pietraszko’s Corner.

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