Synderesis in moral actions
ENThe report focuses on the treatment of synderesis by Thomas Aquinas. Nevertheless, some attempts will be made to compare it with that of Bonaventure. In Quaestiones disputatae de veritate, q. 16, a. 1, Aquinas gives this definition: a nature, that is, in so far as one knows something naturally, and thus it is called synderesis (ut natura, id est in quantum aliquid naturaliter cognoscit et sic dicitur synderesis). Further, he explains that human nature, in so far as it comes in contact with angelic nature, must both in speculative and practical matters know truth without investigation … this knowledge must be habitual so that it will be ready for use when needed. This knowledge, when applied in action, makes man strive for good and avoid evil, in other words synderesis is said to incite to good, and to murmur at evil (S.Th., I, q. 79, a. 13, in c). Synderesis moves prudence, just as the understanding of principles moves science (S.Th., II-II, q. 47, a. 6, ad 3). Prudence is applied to singular moral acts by conscience.
