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Objection 1: It would seem that temperance is about pleasures proper
to the taste. For pleasures of the taste result from food and drink,
which are more necessary to man's life than sexual pleasures, which
regard the touch. But according to what has been said (Article
4), temperance is about pleasures in things that are necessary to
human life. Therefore temperance is about pleasures proper to the
taste rather than about those proper to the touch.
Objection 2: Further, temperance is about the passions rather than
about things themselves. Now, according to De Anima ii, 3, "the
touch is the sense of food," as regards the very substance of the
food, whereas "savor" which is the proper object of the taste, is
"the pleasing quality of the food." Therefore temperance is about
the taste rather than about the touch.
Objection 3: Further, according to Ethic. vii, 4,7:
"temperance and intemperance are about the same things, and so are
continence and incontinence, perseverance, and effeminacy," to which
delicacy pertains. Now delicacy seems to regard the delight taken in
savors which are the object of the taste. Therefore temperance is
about pleasures proper to the taste.
On the contrary, The Philosopher says (Ethic. iii, 10) that
"seemingly temperance and intemperance have little if anything to do
with the taste."
I answer that, As stated above (Article 4), temperance is about
the greatest pleasures, which chiefly regard the preservation of human
life either in the species or in the individual. In these matters
certain things are to be considered as principal and others as
secondary. The principal thing is the use itself of the necessary
means, of the woman who is necessary for the preservation of the
species, or of food and drink which are necessary for the preservation
of the individual: while the very use of these necessary things has a
certain essential pleasure annexed thereto.
In regard to either use we consider as secondary whatever makes the use
more pleasurable, such as beauty and adornment in woman, and a
pleasing savor and likewise odor in food. Hence temperance is chiefly
about the pleasure of touch, that results essentially from the use of
these necessary things, which use is in all cases attained by the
touch. Secondarily, however, temperance and intemperance are about
pleasures of the taste, smell, or sight, inasmuch as the sensible
objects of these senses conduce to the pleasurable use of the necessary
things that have relation to the touch. But since the taste is more
akin to the touch than the other senses are, it follows that temperance
is more about the taste than about the other senses.
Reply to Objection 1: The use of food and the pleasure that
essentially results therefrom pertain to the touch. Hence the
Philosopher says (De Anima ii, 3) that "touch is the sense of
food, for food is hot or cold, wet or dry." To the taste belongs
the discernment of savors, which make the food pleasant to eat, in so
far as they are signs of its being suitable for nourishment.
Reply to Objection 2: The pleasure resulting from savor is
additional, so to speak, whereas the pleasure of touch results
essentially from the use of food and drink.
Reply to Objection 3: Delicacy regards principally the substance of
the food, but secondarily it regards its delicious savor and the way in
which it is served.
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