The Intellectual Pedigree of the Virtue of Magnanimity in the Jesuit Constitutions

The article traces the development of the virtue of magnanimity in Aristotle, Cicero, and Thomas Aquinas in order to assess John O’Malley’s claim that Section 728 of the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus represents a paraphrase of section i.66 of Cicero’s On Duties. For Aristotle, the virtue rep...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Spinale, Kevin (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2015
In: Journal of Jesuit studies
Year: 2015, Volume: 2, Issue: 3, Pages: 451-469
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history
KCA Monasticism; religious orders
KDB Roman Catholic Church
NCB Personal ethics
TB Antiquity
VA Philosophy
Further subjects:B Magnanimity Aristotle Cicero On Duties Aquinas Ignatius John W. O’Malley Jesuit Constitutions superior general virtue
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Summary:The article traces the development of the virtue of magnanimity in Aristotle, Cicero, and Thomas Aquinas in order to assess John O’Malley’s claim that Section 728 of the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus represents a paraphrase of section i.66 of Cicero’s On Duties. For Aristotle, the virtue represents individual’s striving for greater virtue and honor. In Cicero, the virtue takes on Stoic characteristics and is tempered with justice and concern for the common good. Thomas Aquinas links the virtue to hope in initiating great enterprises and accomplishing great virtue in accord with God’s will. Ignatius uses magnanimity to indicate a virtue that synthesizes Cicero’s attention to the common good and Aquinas’s notion of hope in God’s providence. Ignatius combines this synthesis with his own inclination to take that which is excellent in others and generously incorporate it into the Society’s work in magnifying God’s glory.
ISSN:2214-1332
Contains:In: Journal of Jesuit studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/22141332-00203004