ARTICLE 6

Whether there is virtue in the practical intellect.

1. Objections: It would seem that there is not:

 a. Knowledge is of little or no consequence

    for the perfection of virtue   obj. 1 to 3.

 b. Virtue is a second nature, whereas

    reason and nature differ as principles

    of action       obj. 4.

 c. The object of the intellect is truth,

    whereas virtue is concerned with the good obj. 5.

 d. Virtue is a voluntary habit   obj. 6.

2. On the contrary

 a. Prudence is a virtue of the practical

    intellect       1.

 b. The practical intellect is more a human

    power than are the affective powers  2 and 3.

3. Body

 a. Where there is a uniform good, a natural inclination suffices.

 b. But man is capable of many and diverse perfections, and so his appetite for good must be more specifically determined and perfected.

 c. Reason must determine the good to be sought here and now, by the virtue of prudence, which resides in the practical intellect and perfects all the moral virtues by finding their mean.