Fighting for the Common Good

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Mahatma Gandhi and Thomas Aquinas were two of the most influential philosophers of their respective times. Aquinas’s theological ideas on politics, ethics, and natural law have influenced have been a great influence western civilization and he is also held in high regard within the Catholic faith tradition, being honored as a saint. Gandhi was an influential leader in the movement for India’s freedom from British rule. He preached a philosophy of nonviolent civil disobedience and is held as the inspiration for civil rights leaders and non-violent activists around the world. Both philosophers sought to instruct others on how to live a virtuous life and help contribute towards the common good of all people. However, Aquinas and Gandhi hold different views on how their shared goal is to be met. When comparing the two philosophies, one finds that Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy of natural law is superior to Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha since it allows individuals and countries a way to justifiably defend themselves against those who wish to do them harm. Thomas Aquinas held the view that violence was necessary when it was justified and meant to ensure the common good. Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy can be broken down into one easy to remember phrase, ““Good is to be done and pursued and evil is to be avoided.” All other precepts of the natural law are based on this” (Aquinas I-II.94.2). Aquinas’s bases his entire philosophy around the simple idea that evil should be shunned from individual’s lives and they should instead focus on the good. Yet, Aquinas did foresee that in certain cases, violence and war were necessary to ensure the common good, “Therefore, if a man be dangerous and infectious to the community, on account of some sin,... ... middle of paper ... ...he Taliban would cease its violence ways if American military operations ceased since they operate under the belief that what they are doing is morally right. In this case, the threat of physical harm is the only motivation strong enough to get these individuals to lay down their arms. Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy of natural law allows one to better act for the common good than Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha since it allows individuals and countries a way to justifiably defend themselves against those who wish to do them harm. Violence for the sake of violence is never justified, however, one must have the courage and strength to stand up to those who do evil and do what is necessary to stop them. It may come at a great personal cost, however, no matter what physical pain or injury one may endure, one should compromise their morality and turn a blind eye to evil.

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