19 February 2020

The Catechism of the Summa - XXXIX. OF NATURAL EQUITY (OR EPIKEIA)

Is there not also a virtue annexed to legal justice?

Yes, it is that virtue which may be called natural equity or fairness, and which also goes under the name of epikeia (CXX.).

What is the rôle of this virtue?

Its rôle is to incline the will to seek justice in all things and in all orders, as it were, outside of and above the established laws among men, whenever the natural reason in virtue of its very first principles shows that in a given case the established laws cannot and should not be applied (CXX. 1).

Is this a virtue of great worth?

In the order of justice and indeed among all the virtues which regulate man's relations with his neighbour, this virtue is the most important, dominating all in some sort and aiding them towards the betterment of the social good as regards its very essentials (CXX. 2).

Next - The Catechism of the Summa - XL. OF THE GIFT OF PIETY WHICH CORRESPONDS TO JUSTICE AND ITS PARTS

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