Thomas Aquinas on Happiness
In the opinion of Thomas Aquinas, there are several points made as to the "end", the "ultimate end", the shared ultimate end of all humans, and the difference between the object of the will and the possession or use of that object. The "end" itself in general terms, is stated to be "the measure of things ordered to the end" (Aquinas 3), which is essentially the rule of whatever is ordained to the end. Furthermore, the "ultimate happiness" is said to be happiness. As there may be objections as to whether man acts for an end (and therefore the ultimate end), Aquinas states that, "although the end is last in execution, it is the first in the intention of the agent, and in this way has the aspect of a cause" (Aquinas 4). Also, although some may object that humans have different ends because some either turn away from the unchangeable good b
' But not all will in this way, for some have wrong desires, and will to so desire. Contrary to the objection that not all men seek happiness because "many do not know what happiness is. Therefore, men might sin and fall from the ultimate good, enjoy different pursuits in life, or take different actions, their intentions and the principles and intentions of actions/pursuits remains as happiness. [which] is whatever wholly satisfies his will. So, man might pursue different actions or seek different types of fulfillment, but they all pursue the same ultimate end. Therefore, not all desire happiness" (Aquinas 65). " On the contrary, Aquinas claims that if the first part of the definition (happy is the man who has all he wills), is a sufficient definition if understood correctly, which is in the context that, by nature, all men subconsciously desire for their will to be fulfilled (by attaining happiness and not the pursuit of evil). However, in reply to this objection, Aquinas clearly retorts that all men desire the "perfect good. Moreover, the object of the will and the possession or use of that object differ in the fact that the object of the will is the end and the good in universal (happiness), while the possession or use of that object may differ accordingly to how one pursues or seeks happiness in ways fitting to their tastes and desires. Therefore not all desire happiness (Aquinas 65). y sinning or enjoy various pursuits in life, Aquinas challenges that all men seek the same end (happiness), although they may choose different routes in pursuit of the same happiness (the ultimate end that all humans share).
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