Vermigli, Calvin, and Aristotle’s Ethics

Abstract

Abstract: Peter Martyr Vermigli and John Calvin differed in significant ways in their attitudes toward Greek philosophy, notably toward Aristotle, who was chiefly of interest for his remarks on the structure of human nature and ethics. Peter Martyr was more reverential, perhaps more positive, in his use of Aristotle, and studied him for theological purposes. Calvin distinguished between Aristotle’s excellence at metaphysics and his ethics, which was handicapped by his lack of conception of the fall and its effects on human nature. In Vermigli this distinction was present but not pronounced or controlling. The effect of Vermigli’s scholastic training is evident.