Right Practical Reason: Aristotle, Action, and Prudence in Aquinas (Oxford Theology and Religion Monographs)

✍ Scribed by Daniel Westberg

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 296
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book is a study of the role of intellect in human action as described by Thomas Aquinas. One of its primary aims is to compare the interpretation of Aristotle by Aquinas with the lines of interpretation offered in contemporary Aristotelian scholarship. The book seeks to clarify the problems involved in the appropriation of Aristotle's theory by a Christian theologian, including such topics as the practical syllogism and the problems of akrasia. Westberg argues that Aquinas was much closer to Aristotle than is often recognized, and he puts forward important new interpretations of the relation of intellect and will in the stages of intention, deliberation, decision, and execution. In the concluding section of the book, he shows how this new interpretation yields fruitful insights on a range of theological topics, including sin, law, love, and the moral virtues.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half-Title Page
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
PREFACE
CONTENTS
Abbreviations
PART I THE CHARACTER OF PRACTICAL REASON
1 Introduction: Prudence and Moral Theology
2 The Aristotelian Background
3 Thomistic Practical Reason
PART II INTELLECT, WILL, AND ACTION
4 The Metaphysics of Agency
5 Congnition and Volition
6 Liberum Arbitrium, Principle of Action
7 The Distinctiveness of Thomist Psychology
PART III ANALYSING THE PROCESS OF ACTION
8 Stages in Human Action
9 Intention
10 Decision
11 Deliberation
I 2 Execution
PART IV RECTIFYING PRACTICAL REASON
I 3 Prudence and the Integration of Action
14 Error, Sin, and Defective Action
15 Prudence as a Virtue
16 Law and Prudence
17 Prudence and Love
Bibliography
Index