Question 17 — Hope, Considered in Itself

After treating of faith, we must consider hope and (1) hope itself; (2) the gift of fear; (3) the contrary vices; (4) the corresponding precepts. The first of these points gives rise to a twofold consideration: (1) hope, considered in itself; (2) its subject.

Under the first head there are eight points of inquiry:

(1) Whether hope is a virtue?

• (2) Whether its object is eternal happiness?
• (3) Whether, by the virtue of hope, one man may hope for another’s happiness?
• (4) Whether a man may lawfully hope in man?
• (5) Whether hope is a theological virtue?
• (6) Of its distinction from the other theological virtues?
• (7) Of its relation to faith;
• (8) Of its relation to charity.