|
|
|
VICES Vices are
dispositions to commit sins. As repeated good actions produce virtues,
dispositions to make good choices, so repeated sins produce dispositions
to make bad choices: vices. Thus arise imprudence, injustice,
intemperance, and cowardice – vices contrary to the four cardinal
virtues. While sin
itself is a positive act, a choice to do this or that for some good or
apparent good, what makes the sin a sin, what makes it evil, is its lack
of due order toward love of God and neighbor. Sin is not choosing some
entity evil in itself, since there are no such things (evil being a lack
of good in a thing that ought to be there). Rather, sin is choosing to
pursue some good, but in such a way as to turn away from God’s plan:
that is, love of God and neighbor. Thus the adulterer, the thief, even the
sinner who envies the grace of others, begins with a love of some good –
for example, this or that pleasure – but pursues this good in such a way
as to turn away from love of God and neighbor. Still, one
can have a disposition to perform an act with such a lack in it. Choices
are not just transitory events. Rather, when we choose we shape our
characters in this way or that, and in the case of evil, as in the case of
good, that shaping or constitution remains unless we repent. We should
examine our consciences for particular sins, but also for vices, the
dispositions remaining in us from past sins. Penance and self-denial are
needed to reorient such aspects of ourselves unintegrated with the
commitment of faith.
See:
Capital Sins; Evil, Problem of; Freedom, Human; Penance in Christian Life;
Sin. Russell
Shaw. Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrine. Copyright ©
1997, Our Sunday Visitor.
For any
inquiries or comment, you may contact the WEBMASTER
|
