Commentary on the Nicomachean Ethics
Aquinas follows Aristotle’s inquiry into happiness, virtue, friendship and political life. He clarifies the text’s reasoning rather than merely converting it into Christian doctrine.
Understanding the text
This Latin commentary belongs to Thomas’s final years and uses medieval translations and teaching traditions.
Key points
- 01
Happiness
The question of the human good organizes the whole ethical inquiry.
- 02
Virtue
Habits are formed in action and require judgment sensitive to circumstances.
- 03
Friendship
Friendly relationships illuminate common life without being reducible to exchanges of advantage.
How to read it
Read a passage of Aristotle and then the commentary to distinguish ancient author from medieval interpreter.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗