Saturday, September 12, 2009

1a 2ae q1 a7: Whether all men have the same last end? Yes.

Quantum ad rationem ultimi finis, omnes conveniunt in appetitu finis ultimi, quia omnes appetunt suam perfectionem adimpleri, quae est ratio ultimi finis.

As to the formal aspect of last end, all agree in desiring the last end, because all desire the fulfillment of their perfection, and it is precisely this fulfillment which is the formal aspect of the last end.

Sed quantum ad id in quo ista ratio invenitur, non omnes homines conveniunt in ultimo fine: nam quidam appetunt divitias tanquam consummatum bonum; quidam autem voluptatem; quidam vero quodcumque aliud. Sicut et omni gustui delectabile est dulce, sed quibusdam maxime delectabilis est dulcedo vini; quibusdam dulcedo mellis; aut alicuius talium.

But as to the thing in which this formal aspect is realized, all men are not agreed as to their last end: since some desire riches as their consummate good; some, pleasure; others, something else. So too for every taste the sweet is pleasant, but to some the sweetness of wine is most pleasant; to others, the sweetness of honey; or of something similar.

Diversa studia vivendi contingunt in hominibus propter diversas res in quibus quaeritur ratio summi boni.

Various pursuits in life are found among humans on account of the various things in which men seek to find [perfection, i.e.,] the formal aspect of their last end.

Illud tamen dulce oportet esse simpliciter melius delectabile, in quo maxime delectatur qui habet optimum gustum. Et similiter illud bonum oportet esse completissimum, quod tanquam ultimum finem appetit habens affectum bene dispositum.

Yet that sweet is absolutely the best of all pleasant things, in which he who has the best taste takes the most pleasure. In like manner that good is most complete which the man with well disposed affections desires for his last end.

Illi qui peccant, avertuntur ab eo in quo vere invenitur ratio ultimi finis, non autem ab ipsa ultimi finis intentione, quam quaerunt falso in aliis rebus.

Those who sin turn from that in which the formal aspect of their last end really consists, but they do not turn away from the very intention of the last end, which intention they mistakenly seek in other things.

Augustinus dicit, XIII de Trin., quod omnes homines conveniunt in appetendo ultimum finem, qui est beatitudo.

Augustine says (De Trin. xiii, 3) that all men agree in desiring the last end, which is happiness.