The Transcendence of Love According to St. Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

The writings of the saints speak against self-love as a hindrance to friendship with God, while Aristotle speaks of self-love as the basis for virtuous friendship. What causes this apparent discrepancy? Not only is there a difference between good and bad self-love, such that bad self-love must be eradicated, but there is also the cessation of the act of good self-love as the soul progresses spiritually. Then only the love for God remains in act within the perfection of charity and Union with God.