Wisdom

The pursuit of wisdom as the most perfect, noble, useful, and joyful of human undertakings. Note here a tension. In other places, St. Thomas distinguishes between being wise by cognition (per cognitionem) from being wise by inclination (per inclinationem). The latter comes from that gift of the Holy Spirit called 'wisdom' and is nurtured by charity (supernatural love of God) rather than by study and intellectual inquiry. Hence, Psalm 19:8 says, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple." At the end of Fides et Ratio Pope John Paul exhorts Catholic teachers and intellectuals to "philosophize in Mary," the Seat of Wisdom. This sort of wisdom is a knowledge of God borne of love and friendship, and St. Thomas sees it as the deepest fulfillment of what the philosophers — along with Catholic theologians — have always desired.)Alfred J. Freddoso Buffalo Bills John and Jean Oesterle Professor Emeritus of Thomistic Studies Professor Emeritus of Philosophy University of Notre Dame
Category:Personality
Category:Virtues