Os fins da política no De regno de Tomás de Aquino

Abstract

This article aims to demonstrate that the ends of politics, as they are intertwined
with the ultimate end of man, can be considered transpolitical. The political thought of Thomas
Aquinas (1225-1274) is exposed in his practical or moral philosophy, for instance in his
questions about virtues (especially prudence and justice) and in the discussions about the forms
of government, laws, and the common good. Although based upon Aristotle's ideas, Saint
Aquinas deals with the civitas, or rather the regnum christiano, and not with the Greek polis.
The main ends of politics are the common good, the virtuous life of citizens, and happiness
(beatitude) in divine fruition. It will be demonstrated along the study that the ultimate end of
man is only one; the others being antecedents or means to achieve what everyone desires:
happiness. This article, without disregarding others Aquinas works with political themes, will
strictly approach the ideas of De Regno.