Notes from Gathered for the Journey Six (6) essays David McCarthy

Michael R. Miller ―Freedom and ―Grace‖pp. 177-197.IntroductionThomas Aquinas cautions moderation in worldly virtues. In this he follows his mentorAristotle.But, Thomas exhorts one in living the extreme of the theological virtues. (177)Does this invite extremism—causing possible harm to others? (religiousfanaticism) –i.e. Muslim extremists killing over 3000 innocent persons?Does it somehow thwart or limit human freedom?Miller quotes critics who would assert that ―deeply religious people are forced by theirfaith commitment to live a certain kind of life, and hence cannot find true personalsatisfaction because their extreme faith severely restricts both the scope and possibleattainment of their desires.‖ (178)Aquinas and GraceAquinas valued the infused theological virtues –―because he understood that theytransform the lives of those who possess them, shaping our character and directing ustoward union with God.‖ (178)―..this transformation does not destroy our freedom but fulfills it.‖ (178)Like a ballet step—a pas de deux between God‘s grace and human freedom.Note: Miller presumes philosophy of the human good—an ethics built upon a ―thick―vision of ―what brings human fulfillment.‖ In this he is characteristically Aristotelian-Thomistic.I. Theological VirtuesGeneral observation: ―All people are disposed to act in particular ways when presentedwith a choice. Over time these dispositions help shape our capacity to act in one way oranother, which in turn accounts for the kind of person we will be.‖ (178)Impatient? – settle for the first ―good‖ that comes your way; lack perseverance to developtalents for a greater, more profound good.This tendency ―to decline to perfect your talents‖ makes it more difficult ―to orientyourself toward the good; your bad dispositions are reinforced and your impatiencebecomes a vice, at tendency to reject what bring human fulfillment.‖ (178)Virtues give us ―a steady aim at the good.‖ (179)—Importantly, virtues may ―shape ourcapacity for the good‖ but they ―do not necessarily free us from hard work or thepossibility of failure.‖ (179)Fundamental Moral Theology Page 26 of 54Class Notes – Father Michael Seger