Aquianus quote

[billcu1]

What exactly does Thomism mean when it is said “There are no corporeal things in space”? That doesn’t in modern terminology make any sense.

Bill

 

[dmar198]

What exactly does Thomism mean when it is said “There are no corporeal things in space”? That doesn’t in modern terminology make any sense.

Bill

I don’t think Thomism says that. Can you give a source?

I see at least two things in the Summa Theologica that seem to contradict that. One is in Summa Theologica I-II Question 9 Article 5, which asks, “Whether the will is moved by a heavenly body?” In the “I answer that” section, he says, “the will is a power absolutely incorporeal and immaterial. But it is evident that no body can act on what is incorporeal… Therefore it is impossible for a heavenly body to act directly on the intellect or will.” (source) In this passage he seems to contrast the incorporeality of the will with the nature of the heavenly bodies. It seems to follow that he thought the heavenly bodies were corporeal.

Another indication of this is in the Supplement to the Summa Theologica Question 92 Article 2. There, in the “On the Contrary” section, the author quotes Jerome as saying, “An incorporeal thing is invisible to a corporeal eye.” (source) But the heavenly bodies are visible to the corporeal eye. Therefore, it seems to follow that they are corporeal.

I hope that helps.

 

[JerryZ]

I don’t think Thomism says that. Can you give a source?

I see at least two things in the Summa Theologica that seem to contradict that. One is in Summa Theologica I-II Question 9 Article 5, which asks, "Whether the will is moved by a heavenly body?" In the “I answer that” section, he says, “the will is a power absolutely incorporeal and immaterial. But it is evident that no body can act on what is incorporeal… Therefore it is impossible for a heavenly body to act directly on the intellect or will.” (source) In this passage he seems to contrast the incorporeality of the will with the nature of the heavenly bodies. It seems to follow that he thought the heavenly bodies were corporeal.

Another indication of this is in the Supplement to the Summa Theologica Question 92 Article 2. There, in the “On the Contrary” section, the author quotes Jerome as saying, “An incorporeal thing is invisible to a corporeal eye.” (source) But the heavenly bodies are visible to the corporeal eye. Therefore, it seems to follow that they are corporeal.

I hope that helps.

I would interpret this as a direct refutation on the superstition of astrology. Which surmises that somehow our inclinations, destinies and actions are influenced by planets and stars (Constellations ARE groups of stars that form what in astrology is called the zodiac).

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[dmar198]

I would interpret this as a direct refutation on the superstition of astrology. Which surmises that somehow our inclinations, destinies and actions are influenced by planets and stars (Constellations ARE groups of stars that form what in astrology is called the zodiac).

I agree, I was just pointing out that, in addition to that, it also seems to imply that the heavenly bodies are corporeal.

 

[billcu1]

I don’t think Thomism says that. Can you give a source?

I see at least two things in the Summa Theologica that seem to contradict that. One is in Summa Theologica I-II Question 9 Article 5, which asks, “Whether the will is moved by a heavenly body?” In the “I answer that” section, he says, “the will is a power absolutely incorporeal and immaterial. But it is evident that no body can act on what is incorporeal… Therefore it is impossible for a heavenly body to act directly on the intellect or will.” (source) In this passage he seems to contrast the incorporeality of the will with the nature of the heavenly bodies. It seems to follow that he thought the heavenly bodies were corporeal.

Another indication of this is in the Supplement to the Summa Theologica Question 92 Article 2. There, in the “On the Contrary” section, the author quotes Jerome as saying, “An incorporeal thing is invisible to a corporeal eye.” (source) But the heavenly bodies are visible to the corporeal eye. Therefore, it seems to follow that they are corporeal.

I hope that helps.

I can’t think now exactly where I heard it. It might have been on youtube where persons are giving teachings concerning Thomism. And they are Franciscans. Here’s a link I have saved for you to look at and consider.

youtube.com/watch?v=F1ppwk6W51M