Phil 43165: Paper Assignments

In the introductory part of the course we saw that St. Thomas lists law and grace as "exterior" causes of human acts, given to us by God in order to assist us in gaining genuine happiness or beatitude, the only thing that truly satisfies our longing for fulfillment. At the time we looked more specifically at (a) the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as a necessary addition to the theological and cardinal virtues (Summa Theologiae 1-2, ques. 68) and (b) the New Law of grace, meant to supersede the ceremonial and judicial precepts of the Old Law and to bring to fulfillment the moral precepts of the Old Law, i.e., the Ten Commandments and their elaboration (Summa Theologiae 1-2, ques. 106 and 108). This is why, in Summa Theologiae 2-2, St. Thomas includes in his account of each of the theological and cardinal virtues questions about the Gift(s) of the Holy Spirit and the precepts that are relevant to that virtue.

The purpose of the writing assignments is to take this general picture of the Gifts and the precepts and apply them to each of the theological virtues, making clear in each case what the proximate end of the gift or precept is. That is, you will explain specifically how this particular gift or this particular precept enhances this particular virtue.

Paper on Faith, due on 9/30: In this paper you will concentrate on Summa Theologiae 2-2, ques. 8 (the gift of understanding), ques. 9 (the gift of knowledge), and ques. 16 (precepts relevant to hope and, more specifically, to ).

Paper on Hope, due on 11/2: In this paper you will concentrate on Summa Theologiae 2-2, ques. 19 (the gift of fear [of the Lord]) and ques. 22 (precepts relevant to hope and fear [of the Lord]).

Paper on Charity, due on 12/9: In this paper you will concentrate on Summa Theologiae 2-2, ques. 45 and ques. 46 (the gift of wisdom and the opposed vice of foolishness) and ques. 44 (precepts relevant to charity).