Fr. Gregory Pine discusses knowledge and the virtue of studiousness We sit down with Fr. Gregory Pine from https://thomisticinstitute.org/ (Thomistic Institute.)

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https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=15843387 (Become a Patron!) About our topic:  Article 1. Whether the proper matter of studiousness is knowledge? Objection 1. It would seem that http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge) is not the proper http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10053b.htm (matter) of studiousness. For a http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11726a.htm (person) is said to be studious because he applies study to certain things. Now a man ought to apply study to every matter, in order to do aright what has to be done. Therefore seemingly http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge) is not the special http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10053b.htm (matter) of studiousness.

Objection 2. Further, studiousness is opposed to curiosity. Now curiosity, which is derived from “cura” [care], may also refer to elegance of apparel and other such things, which regard the body; wherefore the http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm (Apostle) says (http://www.newadvent.org/bible/rom013.htm#verse14 (Romans [13:14])): “Make not provision [curam] for the flesh in its http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04208a.htm (concupiscences).”

Objection 3. Further it is written (http://www.newadvent.org/bible/jer006.htm#verse13 (Jeremiah [6:13])): “From the least of them even to the greatest, all study [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05140a.htm (Douay): ‘are given to’] http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04462a.htm (covetousness).” Now http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04462a.htm (covetousness) is not properly about http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge), but rather about the possession of http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15571a.htm (wealth), as stated above (http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3118.htm#article2 (II-II:118:2)). Therefore studiousness, which is derived from “study,” is not properly about http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge).

On the contrary, It is written (http://www.newadvent.org/bible/pro027.htm#verse11 (Proverbs [27:11])): “Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07131b.htm (joyful), that thou mayest give an answer to him that reproacheth.” Now study, which is commended as a http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15472a.htm (virtue), is the same as that to which the http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10582c.htm (Law) urges. Therefore studiousness is properly about “http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge).”

I answer that, Properly speaking, study denotes keen application of the http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10321a.htm (mind) to something. Now the http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10321a.htm (mind) is not applied to a thing except by http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowing) that thing. Wherefore the http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10321a.htm (mind’s) application to http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge) precedes its application to those things to which http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09580c.htm (man) is directed by his http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge). Hence study regards http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge) in the first place, and as a result it regards any other things the working of which requires to be directed by http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm (knowledge). Now the http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15472a.htm (virtues) lay claim to that http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10053b.htm (matter) about which they are first and foremost; thus http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06147a.htm (fortitude) is concerned about dangers of death, and...