Obj. 2:  Further, Happiness is a perfect operation, as stated above (Q. 3, AA. 2, 5).  But perfect operation follows perfect being:  since nothing operates except in so far as it is an actual being.  Since, therefore, the soul has not perfect being, while it is separated from the body, just as neither has a part, while separate from its whole; it seems that the soul cannot be happy without the body.

Obj. 3:  Further, Happiness is the perfection of man.  But the soul, without the body, is not man.  Therefore Happiness cannot be in the soul separated from the body.

Obj. 4:  Further, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. vii, 13) “the operation of bliss,” in which operation happiness consists, is “not hindered.”  But the operation of the separate soul is hindered; because, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 35), the soul “has a natural desire to rule the body, the result of which is that it is held back, so to speak, from tending with all its might to the heavenward journey,” i.e. to the vision of the Divine Essence.  Therefore the soul cannot be happy without the body.

Obj. 5:  Further, Happiness is the sufficient good and lulls desire.  But this cannot be said of the separated soul; for it yet desires to be united to the body, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 35).  Therefore the soul is not happy while separated from the body.

Obj. 6:  Further, in Happiness man is equal to the angels.  But the soul without the body is not equal to the angels, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 35).  Therefore it is not happy.

On the contrary, It is written (Apoc. 14:13):  “Happy [Douay:  ‘blessed’] are the dead who die in the Lord.”

I answer that, Happiness is twofold; the one is imperfect and is had in this life; the other is perfect, consisting in the vision of God.  Now it is evident that the body is necessary for the happiness of this life.  For the happiness of this life consists in an operation of the intellect, either speculative or practical.  And the operation of the intellect in this life cannot be without a phantasm, which is only in a bodily organ, as was shown in the First Part (Q. 84, AA. 6, 7).  Consequently that happiness which can be had in this life, depends, in a way, on the body.  But as to perfect Happiness, which consists in the vision of God, some have maintained that it is not possible to the soul separated from the body; and have said that the souls of saints, when separated from their bodies, do not attain to that Happiness until the Day of Judgment, when they will receive their bodies back again.  And this is shown to be false, both by authority and by reason.  By authority, since the Apostle says (2 Cor. 5:6):  “While we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord”; and he points out the reason of this absence, saying:  “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”  Now from this it is clear that so long as we walk by faith and not by sight,