Aquinas Defends Aristotle in That Intellectual Virtues Need the Direction of Moral Virtues

Terence Irwin argues that Aquinas answered a question that Aristotle had raised buthad not answered. The question is if there is any relation between intellectual virtuesand moral virtues. The answer is yes, moral virtues direct intellectual virtues toattain the final end. Moral virtues show in what areas one should think, how muchother things should be attended to, and how much one should spend time forintellectual issues. Aquinas believes in infused virtues in addition to moral virtuesand those especially charity have central place in aforementioned directing role. Weargue firstly that Aristotle also had answered the question. Secondly, there is noessential difference between intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Thirdly, there isone single virtue that functions in both intellectual and moral matters. And fourthly,the root of difficulties is in ethical naturalism of Aquinas following Aristotle.