Reply Obj. 3:  The reason and will are naturally directed to God, inasmuch as He is the beginning and end of nature, but in proportion to nature.  But the reason and will, according to their nature, are not sufficiently directed to Him in so far as He is the object of supernatural happiness. ________________________

SECOND ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 62, Art. 2]

Whether the Theological Virtues Are Distinct from the Intellectual and Moral Virtues?

Objection 1:  It would seem that the theological virtues are not distinct from the moral and intellectual virtues.  For the theological virtues, if they be in a human soul, must needs perfect it, either as to the intellective, or as to the appetitive part.  Now the virtues which perfect the intellective part are called intellectual; and the virtues which perfect the appetitive part, are called moral.  Therefore, the theological virtues are not distinct from the moral and intellectual virtues.

Obj. 2:  Further, the theological virtues are those which direct us to God.  Now, among the intellectual virtues there is one which directs us to God:  this is wisdom, which is about Divine things, since it considers the highest cause.  Therefore the theological virtues are not distinct from the intellectual virtues.

Obj. 3:  Further, Augustine (De Moribus Eccl. xv) shows how the four cardinal virtues are the “order of love.”  Now love is charity, which is a theological virtue.  Therefore the moral virtues are not distinct from the theological.

On the contrary, That which is above man’s nature is distinct from that which is according to his nature.  But the theological virtues are above man’s nature; while the intellectual and moral virtues are in proportion to his nature, as clearly shown above (Q. 58, A. 3).  Therefore they are distinct from one another.

I answer that, As stated above (Q. 54, A. 2, ad 1), habits are specifically distinct from one another in respect of the formal difference of their objects.  Now the object of the theological virtues is God Himself, Who is the last end of all, as surpassing the knowledge of our reason.  On the other hand, the object of the intellectual and moral virtues is something comprehensible to human reason.  Wherefore the theological virtues are specifically distinct from the moral and intellectual virtues.

Reply Obj. 1:  The intellectual and moral virtues perfect man’s intellect and appetite according to the capacity of human nature; the theological virtues, supernaturally.

Reply Obj. 2:  The wisdom which the Philosopher (Ethic. vi, 3, 7) reckons as an intellectual virtue, considers Divine things so far as they are open to the research of human reason.  Theological virtue, on the other hand, is about those same things so far as they surpass human reason.