The virtue of dulia (honor) in Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

Honor was amply dealt with by several ancient authors such as Aristotle and Cicero. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas revisited certain themes from Antiquity, offering new formulations. To do this, he used the concept of dulia, going beyond the traditional contrast with latria. He regards dulia as a virtue connected to justice and that seeks to pay honour or homage to excellent men, particularly virtuous ones. In fact, Aristotle already regarded honour as a “reward for virtue”. In this article, the body of Thomistic work is explored in order to analyse the concept of dulia and honour. To this end, it is asked what dulia truly is, to whom it should be rendered, whether honour can or should be desired, what the role of magnanimity is, and how honour should be shown and for what. The Thomistic proposal offers a new outlook on a subject which, unfortunately, has been somewhat neglected in the present day.

Recebido: 30/12/2019
Aceito: 30/12/2019