Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Medieval Philosophy and Theology
Abstract
In Plato's Republic, the moral education necessary to live the just life requires a transformation of the learner, a transformation that is both moral and intellectual. The result of the transformation, ideally, is a new understanding of power - one that subverts conventional ideas about power and one that requires nearly a lifetime of moral education to cultivate. When the eye of the soul has been turned toward the Good, Socrates teaches, we see that political power alone is powerless to satisfy our deepest longings; our ambitions for political power are destined for frustration unless they are redirected by philosophical wisdom. Moreover, wisdom teaches that worldly power is just the appearance of power; real power lies in knowledge of truth.
First Page
147
Last Page
180
DOI
10.1017/S1057060803000069
Publication Date
12-1-2003
Recommended Citation
De Young, Rebecca Konyndyk, "Power made perfect in weakness: Aquinas's transformation of the virtue of courage" (2003). University Faculty Publications and Creative Works. 473.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/calvin_facultypubs/473