Point II. On Sobriety

I. Notion of Sobriety. Sobriety is a moral virtue inclining man to moderate the pleasure of touch and taste in the use of intoxicating drink. It is said in the use of intoxicating drink; by these words its specific distinction from abstinence is indicated. For a special moral goodness is found in taking precaution lest the special pleasure of intoxicating drink be admitted against right reason.

II. Object of Sobriety. 1. The remote material object is constituted by intoxicating drinks; but the proximate object is the pleasures of touch and taste in the use of intoxicating drink.

2. The remote formal object is the reason of debt of preserving the mean of pleasure in the use of intoxicating drink; the proximate formal object is the special moral goodness shining forth in moderating this pleasure.

III. Opposed Vices. By defect there is opposed drunkenness, by which someone uses intoxicating drink beyond the measure admitted by right reason; by excess, excessive sobriety, by which someone abstains from intoxicating drink against right reason.

Note. Concerning the virtues of abstinence and sobriety, it must be observed that in these the measure of reason must be determined from the end of foods and drinks, and of the pleasures which are joined to their use. Now this end is the preservation of the health of the body, and the suitable disposition of the mind for acting. Therefore right reason demands that in using food and drink, as an end and primarily, there be sought the preservation of the health of the body and the suitable disposition of the mind for acting; while the joined pleasures are licitly sought, but only secondarily and as a means to the end. Therefore proposition 8 was deservedly condemned by Innocent XI: "To eat and drink even to satiety for the sole sake of pleasure is not a sin, provided it does not harm health; because the natural appetite can licitly enjoy its own acts."