Treatise on Happiness by St. Thomas Aquinas Essay -- Treatise on Happi

In the history of the western world, few men have made a greater impact on homos learning that doubting Thomas of Aquino. Having written dozens of different publications, including his famous Summa Theologi, on subjects varying from the angels to philosophy from law to theology, Thomas has secured himself a permanent consecrate in academic history. Although never writing directly on the subject, Thomas also influenced the field of ethics, especially through his Treatise on satisfaction, which are found at bottom his Summa. In these treatises, Thomas details the nature of delight, and how happiness is obtained. In the field of ethics, this work is important because it embraces the Aristotelian ideal how a happy person is just, or ethical. Thomas embraces the ideas of Aristotle throughout his work, and goes on to comment on, and Christianize many of Aristotles original ideas, including how happiness affects our senses and faculties. One of the most interesting developments in the Treatises on Happiness is the combination of the concepts of Aristotelian happiness, found in Nicomachean Ethics, and Augustinian idea that happiness is not available in this life. In this essay, I will highlight the importance of Thomas Treatise on Happiness, and recognize its importance in the context of philosophers who preceded Thomas, namely Aristotle.Before proceeding, it is important to recognize how Thomas defines happiness, and how this is contrasted with those philosophers who predated him. Aristotle wrote extensively on happiness in his Nicomachean Ethics, and argued that happiness is an exercise of the vital faculties in accordance with perfect virtue or excellence, . In this, Aristotle means that happiness is the use of mans reason, will... ... be employ to practically move towards happiness.Works CitedAristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, Translated by F.H. Peters, M.A. 5th ed. London Kegan, Paul, Trench, Truebner & Co., 1893. Accessed November 22, 2014. http//oll.libertyfu nd.org/title/903.Challoner, Richard., ed. The Douay-Rheims Bible. Douay Kellah, 1750. Accessed November 22, 2014. http//www.drbo.org/DeYoung, Rebecca Konyndyk, Colleen McCluskey, and Christian Van Dyke. Aquinass Ethics. Notre Dame University of Notre Dame Press, 2009.Plato. The Republic, Translated by B. Jowett, M.A. third ed. Oxford Clarendon Press, 1888. Accessed November 22, 2014. http//oll.libertyfund.org/title/598.Thomas. Summa Theologi, Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province. New York Benziger Bros., 1947. Accessed November 22, 2014. http//dhspriory.org/thomas/summa/index.html.