Aquinas and the Infused Moral Virtues

Angela McKay Knobel's book explores Aquinas' theory of infused and acquired moral virtue, examining the relationship between the two and arguing that the correct account lies between the two most commonly advocated theories. It is written primarily for students and scholars of moral philosophy and theology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 26 February 2024
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

This study explores Aquinas' theory of infused and acquired virtue within his fundamental understanding of nature and grace. Aquinas posits that all virtues are bestowed upon humans by God along with the gift of sanctifying grace. He also shares Aristotle's belief that virtuous dispositions can be cultivated through repeated good acts, raising the question of how these virtues, infused by grace at the moment of conversion, coexist with those gradually acquired over time. In her comprehensive examination of Aquinas' theory, Angela McKay Knobel delves into the relationship between the infused and acquired moral virtues. Part 1 examines Aquinas' explicit remarks on the topic and assesses whether a coherent "theory" of their relationship can be found in his writings. Knobel argues that while Aquinas provides limited insights into their relationship, he does believe that the "structure" of the infused virtues shares significant similarities with the acquired ones. Part 2 employs this structure to evaluate existing interpretations of Aquinas and argues that none adequately capture his core commitments. Knobel ultimately suggests that the correct account lies between the two most commonly advocated theories. This book, written primarily for students and scholars of moral philosophy and theology, will also appeal to readers interested in understanding Aquinas' theory of virtue.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 149 x 230 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268201104