A Proposal for an Extended Wisdom Ethics in Dialogue with Thomas Aquinas

This article proposes a conception of a Thomist-inspired Extended Wisdom Ethics that addresses contemporary demands. The "virtuous" circle of moral experience consists of several elements: a tendency towards the main goal, the first principles of moral law (seeds of virtues), and the roles of exemplars and the virtuous agent. We usually start by aiming at an ultimate goal, even if it is initially understood in a vague way. This highlights the motivating role of the goal. Thanks to the first principles of natural law, one can determine the end in a more detailed way. Without recognizing the primacy of the virtues of exemplars in action, whose comparison determines and specifies the ideal of fulfilment and its possibility of implementation, the precepts themselves would be a dead letter. The stronger the tendency towards the ultimate end is, the greater the awareness of the identity of the virtuous agent, and the greater the motivation and capacity to act morally here and now are.