“[E]ven though the good be the same objective for one man and for the whole state, it seems much better and more perfect to attain, that is, to procure and preserve the good of the whole state than the good of any one man. Certainly it is a part of that love which should exist among men that a man preserve the good even of a single human being. But it is much better and more divine that this be done for a whole people and for whole states. … This is said to be more divine because it shows greater likeness to God, who is the ultimate cause of all goodness.”
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Like a go/stop sign, God's grace helps guide us to follow the right path because He cares about our safety. As a Walking Christian, our mission is to study these signs and obey them to the best of our ability in everyday life.
4 Responses to Aquinas on the State and the Common Good
Robert May 22, 2012
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” -Spock
Interesting similarity there.
Alfredo May 22, 2012
Well, we must be careful in our reading here. I don’t think he is saying it is okay to treat individuals badly simply for the sake of the state; he doesn’t say the good of the many outweighs the needs of the few in this sense. But he is saying it is greater to preserve the good of whole peoples. This is consistent with not viewing individuals as disposable in the sense I think Spock’s quote would imply.
Justin May 22, 2012
Spoken like a true communist excluding the God part.
Gio May 22, 2012
It’s collectivist, not communist. Communism requires the abolition of all socio-economic classes in favor of one class. St. Thomas never argued this and would almost certainly have rejected such ideas.