Humility, Fear, and the Relationship between the Gifts and Infused Virtues in Thomas Aquinas

In the Secunda secundae of his masterwork, the Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas contends that reverence (an affection elicited by the gift of fear) is both the principle and cause of humility (an infused moral virtue). He suggests also that the relationship between fear and humility is emblematic of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Eitel, Adam (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2023
In: Studies in Christian ethics
Year: 2023, Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 372-390
IxTheo Classification:KAE Church history 900-1300; high Middle Ages
NBC Doctrine of God
NBE Anthropology
NBG Pneumatology; Holy Spirit
NCA Ethics
Further subjects:B Occupation
B Fear
B infused virtue
B Humility
B Gifts of the Holy Spirit
B Thomas Aquinas
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Summary:In the Secunda secundae of his masterwork, the Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas contends that reverence (an affection elicited by the gift of fear) is both the principle and cause of humility (an infused moral virtue). He suggests also that the relationship between fear and humility is emblematic of the relationship between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and infused virtues as such. This article examines these claims and explores their implications for understanding the contribution of the gifts to the infused virtues’ growth: as the theological virtues grow, the infused moral and intellectual virtues grow with them; yet this happens by the intermediate growth of the gifts. Although uncharted within the landscape of contemporary Aquinas studies, these claims are plainly attested in the Summa and corroborated by the Literal Exposition of Job and the Commentary on John.
ISSN:0953-9468
Contains:Enthalten in: Studies in Christian ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/09539468231159041