Thomas Aquinas discusses the nature of justice according to Aristotle. He defines justice as "a habit by which one renders to each his due through a constant and perpetual will." Justice concerns our dealings with others and aims to maintain order and equality in society. While justice may sometimes be done out of obligation rather than choice, it does not remove the merit in acting justly. Aquinas concludes that the central act of justice is to distribute both material goods and duties in a way that appropriately shares benefits and burdens among all people.

1. Thomas Aquinas JUSTICE

2. “ Of Justice” from Summa Theologica What is Justice? Whether Justice is always toward another? Whether it is a virtue? Whether the mean of Justice is the real mean? Whether the act of Justice is to render to everyone his own?

3. What is Justice? Aquinas follows Aristotle in the understanding of Justice: Aquinas claim that “Justice is a habit”, formed through action and experience. “ Justice is to render to each on his due by a constant and perpetual will.” First to understand ‘What is a Just Man?’ Justice is a virtue which one has in relationship with others. Aquinas follows a distributive concept of justice. Justice is a complete virtue- Individual and Political- Aristotle

4. Justice… the perpetual and constant will to render to each one his right? The constant will: Aristotle “all of our actions aimed at an end” is to constantly will some act… The will denotes an act. The act must be: Voluntary ( knowingly) By choice ( for a reason) For a due end ( aimed at something or somebody) The will is perpetual: God’s will alone is perpetual To wit, to do “ a certain thing always” Justice’s proper matter is to render to each one his right A man is just because he respects the rights of others --- Obj. 6 Divine Law- “love our neighbor.

5. Whether Justice is always toward another? Justice is concerned only about our dealings with others. The object or purpose of Justice is Political-to keep men together- According to Greek tradition. Justice implies equality- Justice is done out of necessity Justice is to “rectify human acts”, only humans are capable of “purposive acts” Justice is not of dealing within ourselves, since man’s dealings are amended by the rectification of the passions- other virtues ( Aristotelian Sense)

6. Whether Justice is a virtue? Objections: Justice is not a virtue, since any virtue is considered an action done altruistically. Justice is done out of necessity-what is done out of necessity is not meritorious Through virtuous actions we gain merit, then Justice is not a virtue. Respond: A human virtue is what produces a good. We attain a good through “reason” it is natural to be rational. Justice is done out of necessity: Two kinds of necessity: From constraint: A repression of a Natural Thing- forced by a unnatural thing. From obligation of a command- an ought- to obtain an end- it does not remove the merit.

7. Whether the act of Justice is to render to everyone his own? Objections: Justice is to give , to help someone in need. When we assist someone, we don’t give another what is theirs, but it is ours- Charity Justice then is not given to each his own. Justice has only a distributive nature (material) To prevent murder, adultery and theft, is also an act of Justice Justice is not sufficiently described by the original definition- distribution of things.

8. Whether the act of Justice is to render to everyone his own? Answer: Justice is to ‘share’ our own profit in order to preserve equity- common equality. Aristotle Excess Defect (Action) Profit Loss (material) This definition is transferred to all things.