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Sep 25

Ever wondered why some friendships last a lifetime while others fade away?

Dive into Aristotle's timeless wisdom on the three levels of friendship – utility, pleasure, and virtue – and discover how these connections shape our lives and happiness.

Friendships of utility are formed when people derive some benefit from each other.

Aristotle explains, "Those who love each other for their utility do not love each other for themselves but in virtue of some good which they get from each other".

These relationships are often transient, lasting only as long as the mutual benefit exists.

For example, business partnerships or neighbours who trade favours might fall into this category.

Friendships of pleasure are based on enjoyment of each other's company or shared interests.

As Aristotle notes, "So too with those who love for the sake of pleasure; it is not for their character that men love ready-witted people, but because they find them pleasant".

Like utility friendships, these bonds tend to be fleeting and dissolve when circumstances change. Aristotle observed that such friendships are most common among young people.

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Sep 17

What is the best form of government?

A monarchy, an aristocracy, a democracy, or something in between?

In this thread, we'll explore St Thomas Aquinas' view on the ideal form of government, and why this medieval thinker's political philosophy still resonates with us today.

St Thomas Aquinas believed that in theory, monarchy was the best form of government.

In De Regno, he argues that unity and peace are best achieved under the rule of one person (hereditary or elected), comparing it to how God rules the universe or how the soul governs the body.

He states, "If to provide itself with a king belong to the right of any multitude, it is not unjust that the king set up by that multitude be destroyed or his power restricted, if he tyrannically abuse the royal power".

However, St Thomas Aquinas recognised the potential dangers of monarchy degenerating into tyranny. To prevent this, he advocated for a mixed government that incorporated elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy.

In the Summa Theologiae, he describes his ideal mixed government as "partly kingdom, since there is one at the head of all; partly aristocracy, in so far as a number of persons are set in authority; partly democracy, i.e. government by the people, in so far as the rulers can be chosen from the people, and the people have the right to choose their rulers".

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Sep 9

St Thomas Aquinas on matters relating to foreigners.

Man's relations with foreigners are twofold: peaceful, and hostile: and in directing both kinds of relation the Law contained suitable precepts.

The Israelites offered three opportunities of peaceful relations with foreigners.

First, when foreigners passed through their land as travellers. Secondly, when they came to dwell in their land as newcomers. And in both these respects the Law made kind provision in its precepts. Thirdly, when any foreigners wished to be admitted entirely to their fellowship and mode of worship.

With regard to these, a certain order was observed. For foreigners were not at once admitted to citizenship: just as it was law with some nations that no one was deemed a citizen except after two or three generations.

The reason for this was that if foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settled down in its midst, many dangers might occur, since the foreigners not yet having the common good firmly at heart might attempt something hurtful to the people.

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Sep 5

What if the secret to eternal happiness was found in three simple yet profound virtues?

In this thread, I’ll explain the transformative power of the three theological virtues, and how these can improve your relationship with God and your neighbour.

Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and all that He has revealed to us through scripture and tradition. It is also a commitment to living according to His will.

Faith allows us to assent to divine truths, even when they surpass our human understanding.

Hope is the theological virtue by which we trust in God’s providence, and live according to the expectation that we will inherit eternal life for living a virtuous life.

Hope sustains us during difficulties and orients our actions towards our supernatural end.

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Sep 3

Are you striving to live a good and virtuous life, but struggle to find the right balance?

In this thread, I’ll explain Aristotle's Golden Mean, where true virtue lies not in extremes but in the delicate balance between excess and deficiency.

Aristotle maintains that the virtues exist in the Golden Mean (or middle) between two vices of excess (too much) and deficiency (too little).

For example; courage is a virtue, but excessive courage is a vice (recklessness), and the deficiency of courage is also a vice (cowardice).

To determine the Golden Mean in any given situation, Aristotle emphasises the role of practical wisdom, or phronesis.

Wisdom is the cardinal virtue that allows individuals to make sound judgments and act virtuously by considering the context and specifics of each situation.

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Aug 28

Have you ever wondered why Catholic and Orthodox Christians venerate saints while claiming to worship only one God?

In this thread, I’ll explain the hierarchy of honours, and how the distinctions between dulia, hyperdulia, and latria help us understand Christian theology.

Dulia is the veneration or honour given to the saints, recognising them as servants of God and worthy of imitation on account of their heroic virtue.

It involves personal or public devotions, praying for their intercession (assistance), and honouring their relics or shrines.

Hyperdulia refers to the highest veneration or honour given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

By venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary above the saints, Christians recognise her unique role in salvation history as the Mother of God (Theotokos) and the exemplar of Christian virtue.

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