The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Breaking the Law
November 16, 1998
Philosophers have often debated whether man is inherently good or inherently corrupt.
Aquinas believes that man is inherently good. Man has an "inclination to virtue," which "is a good of nature, since a man possesses it naturally" (ST I-II, Q. 85, Art. 1)
Right now, you might be thinking of a person or two you’d like to propose to challenge Aquinas’ theory. I’ve got some in mind myself!
How is that we are naturally inclined to good, but there are some people who seem to do nothing but evil? The answer is sin.
Ask yourself this question: Is it possible to just sin once and to go on without any long-lasting effect?
Aquinas says that sin takes its toll on our natural inclination to virtue: "actions generate an inclination toward similar actions … and the inclination to one of two contraries is bound to be diminished by an inclination to the other" (ibid.).
It’s kind of like the chips; you can’t eat just one!
Of course, it is possible to sin once, repent and sin no more. But, Aquinas’ point is that’s difficult to do. We are naturally inclined to virtue. Once we turn away from that, we diminish that inclination, and it’s hard to go back.
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
