Aquinas Lecture 2007

"Everything that Rises Must Converge: Aquinas' Theological Re-formation of the Cardinal Virtues"
-presented by Thomas S. Hibbs, PhD

March 13, 2007

The 2007 Aquinas Lecture was given on March 13 by Dr. Thomas S. Hibbs, Distinguished Professor of Ethics & Culture and Dean of the Honors College at Baylor University. His lecture, entitled "Everything that Rises Must Converge: Aquinas"s Theological Re-formation of the Cardinal Virtues," focused on the theological reformation of these virtues, specifically looking at the examples of courage and prudence, and the connection of the virtues with the good life, as found in the incarnation and the example of Christ"s sacrifice. Dr. Hibbs spoke most during his lecture and was questioned most about the virtue of courage and the changes in Aquinas"s interpretation of this virtue from its roots in ancient philosophy. Aquinas emphasizes courage as an endurance, more than as an "attack," so the exemplar of courage is not the warrior, but the martyr whose patient witness patterns the life of Christ and gives witness to the highest truths about God and faith.