Vocation to Love: Supererogation in Aquinas

International Journal of Systematic Theology 24 (2):156-172 (2022)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Thomas Aquinas’ account of religious vocation has been interpreted as involving a qualified duty, where ordinary people fall short of living up to the moral ideal of becoming a monk or nun. Such an account of religious vocation makes a hash of Aquinas’ thought and misses important aspects of his ethics. Aquinas holds that religious life is praiseworthy, but not morally required, because there are multiple sources of normativity. I conclude by proposing that, while elements of Aquinas’ notion of supererogation might be shared with other traditions in virtue ethics, his theological commitments are central to his notion of supererogation.

Author's Profile

James Dominic Rooney
Hong Kong Baptist University

Analytics

Added to PP
2021-06-05

Downloads
227 (#60,774)

6 months
80 (#46,951)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?