Summa Theologica(Question 55. The virtues, as to their essence)by Thomas Aquinas

The Summa Theologiæ (written 1265–1274 and also known as the Summa Theologica or simply the Summa) is the best-known work of Thomas Aquinas (c.1225–1274). Although unfinished, the Summa is one of the classics of the history of philosophy and one of the most influential works of Western literature. It is intended as a manual for beginners in theology and a compendium of all of the main theological teachings of the Catholic Church. It presents the reasoning for almost all points of Christian theology in the West. The Summa's topics follow a cycle: the existence of God; Creation, Man; Man's purpose; Christ; the Sacraments; and back to God. Among non-scholars the Summa is perhaps most famous for its five arguments for the existence of God known as the "five ways" (Latin: quinque viae). The five ways occupy one and one half pages of the Summa's approximately three thousand five hundred pages. We wont read the entire three thousand pages we will read the few pages concerning question 55 which we will read, and discuss at this months meeting of the minds at The Thinkers club.

Question 55 "The Virtues and Their Essence" is just a couple of pages and can be found online at  http://www.newadvent.org/summa/2055.htm and many other web sites. Question 55 answers the question via four articles 1. Is human virtue a habit? 2. Is it an operative habit? 3. Is it a good habit? 4. The defination of virtue.

So lets read these few pages and get ready for a lively evening, May 1, 7:00 P.M. Twinsburg Public Library, see you there.