Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,748 pages of information about Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae).

Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,748 pages of information about Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae).

Obj. 2:  Further, Cicero says (De Quaest.  Tusc. iv, 9) that “excandescentia (irascibility) is what the Greeks call thymosis, and is a kind of anger that arises and subsides intermittently”; while according to Damascene thymosis, is the same as kotos (rancor).  Therefore kotos does not bide its time for taking vengeance, but in course of time spends itself.

Obj. 3:  Further, Gregory (Moral. xxi, 4) gives three degrees of anger, namely, “anger without utterance, anger with utterance, and anger with perfection of speech,” corresponding to the three degrees mentioned by Our Lord (Matt. 5:22):  “Whosoever is angry with his brother” (thus implying “anger without utterance"), and then, “whosoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca’” (implying anger with utterance yet without full expression), and lastly, “whosoever shall say ‘Thou fool’” (where we have “perfection of speech").  Therefore Damascene’s division is imperfect, since it takes no account of utterance.

On the contrary, stands the authority of Damascene (De Fide Orth. ii, 16) and Gregory of Nyssa [Nemesius, De Nat.  Hom. xxi.].

I answer that, The species of anger given by Damascene and Gregory of Nyssa are taken from those things which give increase to anger.  This happens in three ways.  First from facility of the movement itself, and he calls this kind of anger cholos (bile) because it quickly aroused.  Secondly, on the part of the grief that causes anger, and which dwells some time in the memory; this belongs to menis (ill-will) which is derived from menein (to dwell).  Thirdly, on the part of that which the angry man seeks, viz. vengeance; and this pertains to kotos (rancor) which never rests until it is avenged [Eph. 4:31:  “Let all bitterness and anger and indignation . . . be put away from you."].  Hence the Philosopher (Ethic. iv, 5) calls some angry persons _akrocholoi_ (choleric), because they are easily angered; some he calls _pikroi_ (bitter), because they retain their anger for a long time; and some he calls _chalepoi_ (ill-tempered), because they never rest until they have retaliated [Cf.  II-II, Q. 158, A. 5].

Reply Obj. 1:  All those things which give anger some kind of perfection are not altogether accidental to anger; and consequently nothing prevents them from causing a certain specific difference thereof.

Reply Obj. 2:  Irascibility, which Cicero mentions, seems to pertain to the first species of anger, which consists in a certain quickness of temper, rather than to rancor (furor).  And there is no reason why the Greek thymosis, which is denoted by the Latin furor, should not signify both quickness to anger, and firmness of purpose in being avenged.

Reply Obj. 3:  These degrees are distinguished according to various effects of anger; and not according to degrees of perfection in the very movement of anger. ________________________

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Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.