Moral Virtues and Intellectual Virtues

A moral virtue is a will-virtue. It does not belong tothe order of speculative or practical intellect, but to the will,the appetitive part of reason. Moral virtue has to do, not with knowing, but with acting or choosing in the light of knowledge.

An intellectual virtue belongs to the order of knowing. Even the virtues of the practical intellect,which regard action, are truly intellectual virtues; they are notappetites or tendencies to action; they merely show the way to action. And when, through prudence, they recommend or command action, they cannot enforce the command. They give knowledge ofwhat ought to be done. But the tendency, desire, and decision inthe matter belong to the will.

The distinction of virtues as intellectual virtues and moral virtues is complete. This classification covers the whole field. In last analysis every virtue is either an intellectual virtue or a moral virtue.

The intellectual virtues of understanding and prudence are required for every moral virtue.

And, on the other hand, the intellectual virtue of prudence cannot exist unless moral virtue accompany it. Hence prudence is often listed as a moral virtue.