The Cardinal Virtues by Thomas Aquinas

The Cardinal Virtues by Thomas Aquinas

Richard J. Regan's new translation of texts from Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica II–II--on the virtues prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance--combines accuracy with an accessibility unmatched by previous presentations of these texts. While remaining true to Aquinas' Latin and preserving a question-and-answer format, the translation judiciously omits references and citations unessential to the primary argument. It thereby clears a path through the original especially suitable for beginning students of Aquinas. Regan's Introduction carefully situates Aquinas' analysis of these virtues within the greater ethical system of the Summa Theologica, and each selection is introduced by a thoughtful headnote. A glossary of key terms and a select bibliography are also included.

Thomas Aquinas is still known in ethics primarily as the quintessential theorist of natural law—this despite the fact that his writings on that subject are quite meager in comparison to his exhaustive and masterly treatments of the virtuesThe result of Richard Regan's labors is an introduction to Thomas' moral philosophy that is much more indicative of Thomas' rich reflections on the moral life than is available from the study of his natural law writings alone, making accessible Thomas' insights into the cardinal virtues of justice, prudence, courage, and temperance. --Douglas Kries, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Gonzaga University

Richard J. Regan is a Research Professor of Political Science, Fordham University.