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Objection 1: It would seem that all men have not the same last end.
For before all else the unchangeable good seems to be the last end of
man. But some turn away from the unchangeable good, by sinning.
Therefore all men have not the same last end.
Objection 2: Further, man's entire life is ruled according to his
last end. If, therefore, all men had the same last end, they would
not have various pursuits in life. Which is evidently false.
Objection 3: Further, the end is the term of action. But actions
are of individuals. Now although men agree in their specific nature,
yet they differ in things pertaining to individuals. Therefore all men
have not the same last end.
On the contrary, Augustine says (De Trin. xiii, 3) that all
men agree in desiring the last end, which is happiness.
I answer that, We can speak of the last end in two ways: first,
considering only the aspect of last end; secondly, considering the
thing in which the aspect of last end is realized. So, then, as to
the aspect of last end, all agree in desiring the last end: since all
desire the fulfilment of their perfection, and it is precisely this
fulfilment in which the last end consists, as stated above (Article
5). But as to the thing in which this aspect is realized, all men
are not agreed as to their last end: since some desire riches as their
consummate good; some, pleasure; others, something else. Thus to
every taste the sweet is pleasant but to some, the sweetness of wine is
most pleasant, to others, the sweetness of honey, or of something
similar. Yet that sweet is absolutely the best of all pleasant
things, in which he who has the best taste takes most pleasure. In
like manner that good is most complete which the man with well disposed
affections desires for his last end.
Reply to Objection 1: Those who sin turn from that in which their
last end really consists: but they do not turn away from the intention
of the last end, which intention they mistakenly seek in other things.
Reply to Objection 2: Various pursuits in life are found among men
by reason of the various things in which men seek to find their last
end.
Reply to Objection 3: Although actions are of individuals, yet
their first principle of action is nature, which tends to one thing,
as stated above (Article 5).
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