Document Type
Full Length Article
Abstract
Temperance is often misunderstood as simple self-denial or restraint, but it is a profound virtue that aligns desires with reason to foster moral balance and harmony. This paper explores temperance through the frameworks of Aristotle and Aquinas, arguing that it is essential for achieving a virtuous life. Aristotle’s concept of temperance as a mean between excess and deficiency emphasizes balance, while Aquinas builds on this by framing temperance as a causal virtue that actively integrates desires into rational and ethical goals. Through this integration, temperance transcends mere restraint, becoming a foundation for moral growth and self-realization. The historical roots of temperance in the Greek concept of sophrosyne further illustrate its universality, connecting self-awareness and moral order. Addressing objections that temperance is overly restrictive or culturally variable, this paper demonstrates its adaptability and relevance across contexts. Ultimately, temperance emerges as more than a defensive virtue—it is a path to balance, fulfillment, and the cultivation of moral character.
Academic Department
Psychology
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Dimauro, Alexandra
(2025)
"Temperance as the Key to Moral Balance — An Analysis of Aristotle and Aquinas,"
The Agora: Vol. 3, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.nmsu.edu/the-agora/vol3/iss1/3