Ens et bonum convertuntur: Thomas Aquinas on Goodness

Abstract

The convertibility of being and good still causes controversies (prejudice of the West, unfounded claim). In the preliminaries, some obstacles are pointed out that stand in the way of an adequate understanding of this thought (technomorphic mindset, logical-conceptual understanding of being). Thomas, on the other hand, argues strictly ontologically. Being is called good because it perfects something else (ens perfectivum = bonum), the good is called being because it is perfect (bonum = ens perfectum). Perfecting is an outflow of the perfection of being, it means the addition of being, not the removal of imperfection. Being has this character of an end (ipsum esse habet rationem finis). Therefore, being as such is being good (bonum secundum quid). To become good (bonum simpliciter) presupposes being good. The convertibility of being and good is the first principle and foundation (principium et fundamentum) of all practice. To deny it ultimately means legitimizing the right of the stronger.