A rereading of the Aristotelian psychology of morality from the perspective of medieval Christianity

Abstract

Morality includes, besides judgments and practices, some moral emotions (remorse, gratitude, guilt). The changes in moral emotions provoke a modification of morality's institution, and this requires a philosophical criticism of the inner theory of this institution. Christianity introduces new modes into moral emotions (sin, repentance, conversion) that will require a reconsideration of moral psychology. During the Low Middle Ages Aristotelian psychology was reformed in order to adapt it to Christian morality. Within this reinterpretation, the will, which Aristotle subordinated to the intellect, is placed at the same level as the intellect.