The article analyzes the occurrences and meaning of the expression ratio practica in the works of Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas. A lexicographical survey has shown that ratio practica appears in the philosophical vocabulary of Latin medieval philosophy from the second quarter of the thirteenth century. In particular, it occurs with some frequency in the early works of Albertus Magnus (before 1250), who uses ratio practica in connection with Augustine of Hippo's theory of the double reason (ratio superior and ratio inferior). Albertus seems to abandon the use of ratio practica when he begins to engage with the exegesis of Aristotle, and, in particular, he uses it negligibly in the two commentaries on the complete version of the Nicomachean Ethics, of which, before 1250, he only knew the first three books (Ethica nova and vetus). In contrast, Thomas Aquinas frequently uses the expression ratio practica, but only in contexts related to the psychological process that precedes action, which Aristotle had primarily described in the Nicomachean Ethics. In short, thanks to Thomas, ratio practica is characterized as an Aristotelian notion, while Albertus's merit lies in having introduced it into the philosophical vocabulary.

Ratio practica in Alberto Magno e Tommaso d’Aquino: Una ricognizione lessicografica / Zavattero, Irene. - In: BULLETIN DE PHILOSOPHIE MEDIEVALE. - ISSN 0068-4023. - 66:(2025), pp. 3-30. [10.1484/J.BPM.5.143436]

Ratio practica in Alberto Magno e Tommaso d’Aquino: Una ricognizione lessicografica

Zavattero, Irene
2025-01-01

Abstract

The article analyzes the occurrences and meaning of the expression ratio practica in the works of Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas. A lexicographical survey has shown that ratio practica appears in the philosophical vocabulary of Latin medieval philosophy from the second quarter of the thirteenth century. In particular, it occurs with some frequency in the early works of Albertus Magnus (before 1250), who uses ratio practica in connection with Augustine of Hippo's theory of the double reason (ratio superior and ratio inferior). Albertus seems to abandon the use of ratio practica when he begins to engage with the exegesis of Aristotle, and, in particular, he uses it negligibly in the two commentaries on the complete version of the Nicomachean Ethics, of which, before 1250, he only knew the first three books (Ethica nova and vetus). In contrast, Thomas Aquinas frequently uses the expression ratio practica, but only in contexts related to the psychological process that precedes action, which Aristotle had primarily described in the Nicomachean Ethics. In short, thanks to Thomas, ratio practica is characterized as an Aristotelian notion, while Albertus's merit lies in having introduced it into the philosophical vocabulary.
2025
Zavattero, Irene
Ratio practica in Alberto Magno e Tommaso d’Aquino: Una ricognizione lessicografica / Zavattero, Irene. - In: BULLETIN DE PHILOSOPHIE MEDIEVALE. - ISSN 0068-4023. - 66:(2025), pp. 3-30. [10.1484/J.BPM.5.143436]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/441390
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