 The thesis that the first practical principles are only incipiently moral should not be confused with the widespread modern opinion that practical reason’s default position is self-interest or “prudential” reason, so that there is a puzzle about how one transits from this to morality. In Aquinas’ classical view, one’s reason (as distinct from some of one’s customary ways of thinking) naturally understands the primary or basic goods as good for anyone, and further understands that it is good to participate in the many forms of friendship which require that one set aside all merely emotionally motivated self-preference.