Abstract

As a theologian, Thomas Aquinas identifies man's perfect beatitude with the immediate vision of God after this life through grace. He also recognizes that man can be happy in a certain measure in this life. He argues that such terrestrial felicity is proportioned to man's unaided, natural capacities. This thesis attempts to develop Thomas' reflections on man's natural, terrestrial happiness. The first chapter reviews the historical background of Thomas' thought on this matter. Aristotle, Plotinus, and Christian sources are examined. The second chapter considers the influence of these sources in Thomas' writings and defends the legitimacy of developing a Thomistic account of natural felicity along philosophical lines. The third chapter analyzes Thomas' arguments concerning the existence and nature of happiness. Special emphasis is placed on the role that the concepts of natural desire, freedom, and rational reflection play in arriving at an accurate account of happiness. In the fourth chapter, the happiness of the active life is taken up. Discussion focuses on prudence, moral virtue, the natural law, and the manner in which they promote human happiness. The fifth presents Thomas' account of the superiority of contemplative happiness. The unity of man's terrestrial happiness , which is made possible through the contemplation of God in metaphysics, is examined. The thesis concludes by way of summary and assesses Thomas' contributions to philosophical inquiry concerning the 'good life' as it developed from ancient times