Thomas Aquinas’ "Amor amicitiae" and Society

Abstract

From a moral point of view, does Thomas Aquinas’amor amicitiae have social relevance? The answer is relevant to understand the social role of altruism and compassion. This amor — i.e., to love a person for herself — is gratuitous, both at the natural and supernatural levels (as caritas). It determines a bond with the beloved. It originates compassion (which founds mercy). It necessarily unfolds in beneficentia and opera misericordiae, i.e. acting in favor of the beloved, including relieving her of a defect from which she suffers. This study aims first to retrace these characteristics of amor amicitiae. Second, to consider the link between Thomas Aquinas’ notion of amicitia politica or civilis and amor amicitiae. Third, to highlight the subsequent social implications of this amicitia (thus originated by amor amicitiae): the gratuitous political bond (ordered to common good), and social action including beneficentia and misericordia. Main reference texts are the Treatise on Charity in Summa Theologiae II-II (qq. 23-46) and De virtutibus (q. 2 or De caritate).