For each section, answer the essay question with a well-structured essay of at

least five paragraphs.
I: Essay Question on the Life of Anthony (50%)
According to the Life of Anthony, why does freedom require virtue and the truth of divine
revelation? Be sure to include (1) Anthony’s definition of virtue in your answer, as well
as (2&3) the two ways in which genuine freedom is implicitly defined. Based on Anthony’s
implicit argument for the connection between virtue and freedom, which is more correct: the

contemporary view of morality or the traditional Catholic view? Explain. A good essay
should also show how the Life of Anthony illustrates the patristic concept of happiness as presented
by Pinckaers OR it should show how Anthony’s conception of virtue differs from the
ancient philosophers’ view and how it explains that even though knowledge of the truth is required
for virtue and freedom, the simple and uneducated can still have virtue and true
happiness.

Tips: (1) remember that Anthony’s definition of virtue includes human reason, the truthknowing
faculty of the person, which is why virtue and the truth about human nature and
human action are necessarily connected. (2) The principle that “grace does not destroy nature,
but elevates and perfects it” will help you illustrate either of the two final concepts in the

essay.
II: Essay ?estion on man’s ultimate end (50%)
Explain Aquinas’ argument for man’s true ultimate end (explain both what man’s ultimate
end is and the way Aquinas reaches that conclusion). Why does having a correct
understanding of man’s ultimate end ma?er? In your answer, be sure to explain the importance
of the concept of “nature,” for moral reasoning, the two senses in which the concept of

human nature is used in the Catholic tradition, and why the notion of happiness is lost or
a?enuated in contemporary morality. Do not neglect to define goodness and to explain the
difference between a spiritual good and a material good. A good answer could use various
concepts to illustrate its points, including C.S. Lewis’ three parts of morality or Pinckaers’ definition

of moral theology. It could discuss nominalism in more detail or the doctrine that the
human being is made in God’s image and likeness and has a unique ability to perceive the
majesty of God (as Ephrem puts it). You could also discuss how our actions and virtues relate
to the beatific vision, according to Aquinas.