TREATISE ON HABITS (QQ. 49-54)
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QUESTION 49

OF HABITS IN GENERAL, AS TO THEIR SUBSTANCE
(In Four Articles)

After treating of human acts and passions, we now pass on to the consideration of the principles of human acts, and firstly of intrinsic principles, secondly of extrinsic principles.  The intrinsic principle is power and habit; but as we have treated of powers in the First Part (Q. 77, seqq.), it remains for us to consider them in general:  in the second place we shall consider virtues and vices and other like habits, which are the principles of human acts.

Concerning habits in general there are four points to consider:  First, the substance of habits; second, their subject; third, the cause of their generation, increase, and corruption; fourth, how they are distinguished from one another.

Under the first head, there are four points of inquiry: 

(1) Whether habit is a quality?

(2) Whether it is a distinct species of quality?

(3) Whether habit implies an order to an act?

(4) Of the necessity of habit.
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FIRST ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 49, Art. 1]

Whether Habit Is a Quality?

Objection 1:  It would seem that habit is not a quality.  For Augustine says (QQ. lxxxiii, qu. 73):  “this word ‘habit’ is derived from the verb ‘to have.’” But “to have” belongs not only to quality, but also to the other categories:  for we speak of ourselves as “having” quantity and money and other like things.  Therefore habit is not a quality.

Obj. 2:  Further, habit is reckoned as one of the predicaments; as may be clearly seen in the Book on the Predicaments (Categor. vi).  But one predicament is not contained under another.  Therefore habit is not a quality.

Obj. 3:  Further, “every habit is a disposition,” as is stated in the Book of the Predicaments (Categor. vi).  Now disposition is “the order of that which has parts,” as stated in Metaph. v, text. 24.  But this belongs to the predicament Position.  Therefore habit is not a quality.

On the contrary, The Philosopher says in the Book of Predicaments (Categor. vi) that “habit is a quality which is difficult to change.”

I answer that, This word habitus (habit) is derived from habere (to have).  Now habit is taken from this word in two ways; in one way, inasmuch as man, or any other thing, is said to “have” something; in another way, inasmuch as a particular thing has a relation (se habet) either in regard to itself, or in regard to something else.