ARTICLE 7

Whether there is virtue in the speculative intellect.

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

 a. The speculative intellect is not ordered

    to action or to happiness    obj. 1 and 4.

 b. Knowledge does not make us good and is

    not meritorious      obj. 2 and 5.

 c. Science is distinct from virtue   obj. 3.

2. On the contrary

 a. Faith is in the speculative intellect 1.

 b. Truth and goodness are equally noble;

    hence, since there is virtue in the will,

    there is also virtue in the intellect 2.

3. Body

 a. Virtue is always ordered to the good, either:

  (1) formally: when it is ordered to the good as such, as it is the object of an appetite. Hence the virtues of the appetitive powers are formally and most properly virtues.

  (2) materially: when it is ordered to the good under the aspect of truth, as it is the object and the good of the intellect.

 b. Habits may perfect the intellect either:

  (1) in itself, as it precedes the will, in which case they are not properly or perfectly virtues, for they give only the ability of using the mind well and do not assure the actual good use. Of this type are wisdom, science, art, etc.

  (2) as it follows the will, which determines their end and moves them to exercise, as faith and prudence, which have their own proper object, but are imperated by the will.

 c. Thus intellectual habits may depend on the will:

  (1) only as to their use, i.e., accidentally, e.g., science, wisdom, art.

  (2) both for their exercise and for their principle, namely, the end or the good, which the will determines; e.g., prudence.

  (3) for their exercise, their principle, and their object; e.g., all the moral virtues.