The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
But, What If It Doesn't Affect Anyone Else?
October 19, 1998
It’s often used as a reason or excuse for sinful activity: "But, it’s not hurting anybody."
But, it is!
First, it’s important to remember that God created eternal law not simply for the benefit of society, but for the benefit of everyone. He wants us all to be good for and to ourselves as well as for and to everyone else.
Second, to say "it’s not hurting anybody" is to deny one’s role in a community. Each individual is a member of the community. In sinning, an individual harms that community even if it is not readily apparent at the time.
Many would argue that suicide affects only the individual, but that’s not true. Aquinas said suicide is wrong:
…because every part, as such, belongs to the whole. Now every man is part of the community, and so, as such, he belongs to the community. Hence by killing himself he injures the community, as the Philosopher declares (Ethic. v, 11). (ST II-II Q. 64, Art. 5)
Other things like drug use and illicit sex may not seem to affect the community, but they do. When an individual engages in sin, no matter how lonesome the sin may be, that individual contributes to a sinful atmosphere in the community.
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
