Carità teologale e virtù cardinali alla luce di Tommaso d’Aquino

Authors

  • Aristide Fumagalli

Abstract

The recent reaffirmation of the virtues ethic in philosophy, invites us to enhance theology traditional heritage, that especially with Thomas Aquinas, has offered us a great synthesis and interpretation of virtues. Consequently, this article refers to Thomas’ analysis of the cardinal virtues and, according to the caritas forma virtutum principle, explains it as the moral expression of man theological experience, the becoming of God’s love into love for one’s neighbour. Prudence is seen as the charity fulfillment in the action; justice
as charity adapting to one’s neighbour and fortitudes its strength against difficulties when helping him. Finally, temperance is  charity remaining pure in spite of the distractions coming from pleasures. This paper, although limited to moral virtues referred to cardinal ones, is meant to be a contribution for a more comprehensive look on a virtues theology and, without undue simplifications,
an explanation on how moral behavior, according to the Christian vision, mixes the theological virtues coming straight from the  grace of God, with the cardinal virtues, foundation of human freedom.

Published

2025-08-05

How to Cite

Fumagalli, A. (2025). Carità teologale e virtù cardinali alla luce di Tommaso d’Aquino. La Scuola Cattolica, 141(1), 51–87. Retrieved from https://www.lascuolacattolica.it/ojs/index.php/lsc/article/view/4087

Issue

Section

Articoli