Passions and Virtue

153 Pages·2015·0.6 MB·English

by  Servais Pinckaers

Passions
&
Virtue

Passions
&
Virtue
ServaiS PinckaerS, OP
Translated by Benedict M. Guevin, OSB
Foreword by Michael Sherwin, OP
The Catholic University of America Press
Washington, D.C.
Copyright © 2015
The Catholic University of America Press
All rights reserved
This work was originally published in French as
Passions et Vertu by Parole et Silence
© Éditions Parole et Silence, 2009
ISBN 978-2-84573-719-8
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of American National Standards for Information
Science—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI Z39.48-1984.
∞
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Pinckaers, Servais.
[Passions et vertu. English]
Passions and virtue / Servais Pinckaers, OP ; translated by
Benedict M. Guevin, OSB.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8132-2751-1 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Emotions—
Religious aspects—Catholic Church. 2. Christian ethics.
3. Virtue. I. Guevin, Benedict, translator. II. Title.
BJ1278.E56P5613 2015
241'.4—dc23 2015001831
Contents
Foreword by Michael Sherwin, OP, vii
Introduction, ix
1 Virtue and the Passions, 1
2 List of Passions, 7
3 Love and Hate, 13
4 Mercy and Pity, 21
5 Concupiscence and Hope, 30
6 Delectation, Pleasure, and Joy, 39
7 Suffering, Pain, and Sadness, 48
8 The Virtue of Humor, 58
9 The Virtue of Silence, 64
10 Anger and Virtue, 74
11 Piety, 89
12 Work and Virtue, 101
13 Rest and Leisure, 111
14 Virtue and Sports, 119
15 Psychology and the Virtues, 124
16 O f the Usefulness of the
Useless Servant, 130
Index, 137

Foreword
After several years of relative inactivity because of ill health,
Father Servais Pinckaers experienced a renewed sense of en-
ergy, the first fruit of which was his book A Plea for Virtue
(Parole et Silence, 2007). What strikes the reader about this
veritable vade mecum on the virtues is its brilliance and serene
style, which bespeaks an open and yet deep look. Scarcely had
he completed that book when Father Pinckaers quietly began
this study on the passions and the virtuous life. Conceived as a
follow-up to A Plea for Virtue, this is the work of a master who
shares his long experience on the integration of the emotions
in the Christian life. Finished two months before his death,
Passions and Virtue is the crown of a life dedicated to the re-
newal of moral theology. Servais Pinckaers sought in all of his
writings to express the joy which is at the source of the Chris-
tian life, while acknowledging at the same time the trials and
sufferings that are a part of life in this world. May this joy be
fulfilled in him now that his earthly pilgrimage has been com-
pleted.
Michael Sherwin, OP
Archives Pinckaers
Fribourg, Switzerland
vii

Introduction
We think with our intellect, which expresses itself in a multi-
plicity of ideas and words. We act with our will, which brings
together body and soul in the unity of the act that we perform.
The virtue that makes us act cannot therefore exist in us with-
out the participation of our senses and even our bodies. This
is why, after having studied the virtues, we must once again
show how our intellect and will are in harmony with our pas-
sions and feelings. Must we do battle with our senses to acquire
the virtues? Or can feelings contribute to virtue and even sup-
port the notion that the senses can strengthen our feelings?
We will examine the connections between virtue and the
passions in a broad sense. In addition to the classic passions—
love, desire, pleasure, and anger—we will also look at humor
and silence, piety and work, which can also be the subject of
true passions. We will also ask ourselves why psychologists do
not concern themselves more with the virtues, when it seems
that everyone is talking about them and their opposites.
In what follows, we do not pretend to be complete. Who can
be, in a matter so rich and inexhaustible? It is enough to help the
reader to advance in self-understanding, which Socrates pro-
posed as the goal of philosophy and the heart of human wisdom.
Translator’s Note: I am grateful to Mme Danielle Lesage Blais for her generous
assistance with the translation of this volume.
ix