Thomas Aquinas on the Passions
A Study of Summa Theologiae, 1a2ae 22–48

Provides an understanding of Thomas Aquinas' account of the passions, the elemental forces that affect human happiness.

Robert Miner (Author)

9780521897488, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 April 2009

328 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.65 kg

The Summa Theologiae is Thomas Aquinas' undisputed masterwork, and it includes his thoughts on the elemental forces in human life. Feelings such as love, hatred, pleasure, pain, hope and despair were described by Aquinas as 'passions', representing the different ways in which happiness could be affected. But what causes the passions? What impact do they have on the person who suffers them? Can they be shaped and reshaped in order to better promote human flourishing? The aim of this book is to provide a better understanding of Aquinas' account of the passions. It identifies the Aristotelian influences that lie at the heart of the Summa Theologiae, and it enters into a dialogue with contemporary thinking about the nature of emotion. The study argues that Aquinas' work is still important today, and shows why for Aquinas both the understanding and attainment of happiness requires prolonged reflection on the passions.

Part I. The Passions in General: 1. The sensitive appetite
2. The definition of passion
3. The activation of passion
4. The morality of the passions
Part II. Particular Passions: The Concupiscible Passions: 5. Love
6. Hatred and concupiscence
7. Pleasure
8. Sorrow
Part III. Particular Passions: The Irascible Passions: 9. Hope and despair
10. Fear
11. Daring
12. Anger
Epilogue: the passions, the virtues, and happiness.

Subject Areas: Theology [HRLB], Christian theology [HRCM], Religious ethics [HRAM1], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Philosophy [HP]