Resumo

GUI, Lingchang. Hierarchies of basic goods and sins according to Aquinas' natural law theory. Herv. teol. stud. [online]. 2022, vol.78, n.4, pp.1-6. ISSN 2072-8050.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i4.7694.

Aquinas' natural law theory contains a set of basic goods, such as survival, reproduction and the pursuit of truth. However, whether and how there is a hierarchical relationship among these goods remains disputed. Given the importance of Aquinas' natural law theory for Christianity and the philosophy of law, this issue merits a closer investigation. By carefully examining various modern scholars' theories and Aquinas' texts, it is demonstrated that according to Aquinas, firstly, there are hierarchies of basic goods and sins; secondly, these hierarchies are horizontal and vertical according to the order of participation and the dignity of substances, respectively. CONTRIBUTION: This research reconsiders the modern debate over Aquinas' hierarchical theory of basic goods and provides a more authentic understanding of Aquinas' own view, which can be applied to his theory of sin. Aquinas' natural law theory can hence be clarified in a more profound way

Palavras-chave : Thomas Aquinas; natural law; basic goods; virtues; sins; hierarchy of goods; ethics; medieval philosophy.

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