Welcome to my first post on the Cogitating Ceviche! I'm thrilled to embark on this journey of sharing my thoughts and insights with you. I hope you find this space engaging, thought-provoking, and, most importantly, a place you'd like to return to for more.
This inaugural piece is deeply personal to me. It's inspired by the teachings I received from my parents as a young child, lessons that have shaped my worldview and continue to guide me. I've also drawn inspiration from the first article I read from Conrad Hannon on the Cogitating Ceviche, titled "Unalienable, Inalienable, or Just Plain Alien?" Hannon's exploration of God-given or natural rights resonated with me. I hope to build upon his insights in this article.
I've also found a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from the Thomistic Institute's YouTube channel. Their comprehensive coverage of St. Thomas Aquinas' teachings has been instrumental in shaping this piece. I highly recommend their channel for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Aquinas' philosophy.
Now, let's dive into the heart of the matter: St. Thomas Aquinas' teachings on natural law and human law and their relevance in our modern world.
~Calista
In an era where digital platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter dominate the landscape of information dissemination, the profound philosophical teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas may seem distant and challenging to grasp. The rapid-fire, bite-sized content that we consume daily on our screens is a far cry from the deep, contemplative wisdom that Aquinas offers. Yet, the relevance and applicability of his teachings have not diminished with time. In fact, they remain as pertinent today as they were in the 13th century, providing timeless insights into the nature of morality, law, and human behavior.
This article aims to bridge the gap between the medieval scholastic world of Aquinas and the fast-paced digital world of 2023. It seeks to translate the complex philosophical concepts of Aquinas into a language that younger generations can understand and relate to. Using contemporary examples and references from popular culture, I hope to illuminate Aquinas' teachings in a new light, making them accessible and engaging for Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Y.
The focus of our exploration will be Aquinas' views on natural law and human law. These two concepts form the bedrock of his moral philosophy. Though rooted in a time far removed from ours, these concepts offer valuable insights into the ethical dilemmas and moral questions that we grapple with today. Aquinas ' philosophy provides a robust framework for understanding and addressing these issues, from debates about social justice and human rights to discussions about personal responsibility and community welfare.
In the following sections, I will delve into the intricacies of Aquinas' philosophy, unpacking his ideas and interpreting them in the context of our contemporary world. I will draw parallels between his teachings and our modern experiences, using analogies from popular movies, TV shows, and social phenomena to illustrate his points. Through this process, I hope to demonstrate that the wisdom of Aquinas is not just a relic of the past but a living, breathing philosophy that continues to resonate with our experiences and challenges in the 21st century.
So, whether you're a philosophy enthusiast looking to explore Aquinas' teachings or a curious reader seeking to understand the world better, this article offers a fresh and engaging perspective on one of the greatest thinkers in history. Let's embark on this journey together, delving into the timeless wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas and discovering its relevance for our modern world.
At the heart of Aquinas' philosophy is the concept of 'eternal law.' This is not a law in the conventional sense, like a statute passed by a government or a rule set by an institution. Instead, Aquinas' eternal law is a divine blueprint, a cosmic plan for the universe, established by the ultimate lawgiver, God. It's akin to the source code of complex software, the fundamental set of instructions determining how everything functions. According to Aquinas, this eternal law is imprinted in all creatures, from the smallest microorganism to the largest galaxy, guiding their existence and operations.
However, this imprint takes a unique form for humans, which Aquinas refers to as 'natural law.' Natural law is our personal share in the eternal law, our slice of the divine blueprint. It is our innate sense of morality, our inherent understanding of right and wrong. This natural law is not something external that is imposed on us. Instead, it is an integral part of our being, deeply embedded in our nature. It's like our moral compass, which guides our actions and decisions, helping us navigate the complex seas of ethical dilemmas and moral choices.
To illustrate this concept, let's turn to the world of pop culture and consider the 'Spidey sense' in Spider-Man. Just as Peter Parker, a.k.a Spider-Man, has an innate sense of danger due to his spider-like abilities, humans have an inherent sense of morality due to our rational nature. This 'moral sense' is not a superpower that we acquire through a radioactive spider bite but a fundamental aspect of our humanity that we possess by virtue of being rational creatures.
This moral sense, our natural law, is not just about avoiding danger or harm. It's about understanding the broader implications of our actions, discerning the ethical dimensions of our decisions, and acting in a way that aligns with our moral values. It's about making choices that respect the dignity and worth of all individuals, promoting justice and fairness, and contributing to the common good.
In essence, our natural law is our moral GPS, guiding us through the complex terrain of life and helping us make decisions that benefit us, our community, and our world. It's about recognizing our interconnectedness with others and our shared responsibility for the well-being of our planet. It's about living in a way that reflects our deepest values and highest aspirations, contributing to a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world.
While deeply rooted in theology, Aquinas' philosophy offers profound insights into human nature and behavior. He posited that we, as humans, have specific inclinations or tendencies that are natural to us. These aren't whims or fleeting desires but fundamental drives that shape our actions and decisions, guiding us toward certain ends.
Firstly, Aquinas identified the inclination to preserve our life. This is the most basic and universal of all inclinations shared by all living creatures. The instinct compels us to seek food when we're hungry, take shelter from a storm, or flee from danger. The drive underpins our survival, ensuring that we take care of our physical well-being.
Secondly, Aquinas pointed to the inclination to reproduce and raise offspring. This is the drive that ensures the continuation of our species. It's not just about biological reproduction but also about nurturing and educating our children, ensuring they grow up to be healthy, capable adults.
Thirdly, Aquinas highlighted the inclination to seek knowledge. This is the drive that fuels our curiosity, our desire to understand the world around us. The drive leads us to ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek truth in all its forms.
Lastly, Aquinas noted the inclination to live in society. This drive compels us to form relationships with others, build communities, and work together for the common good. It's the drive that underpins our social nature, our need for companionship, cooperation, and mutual support.
These tendencies identified by Aquinas bear a striking resemblance to the basic needs outlined by psychologist Abraham Maslow in his famous hierarchy of needs. Like Maslow's pyramid includes physiological needs (food, water, warmth, rest), safety, belongingness, love, esteem, and self-actualization, Aquinas' natural law encompasses similar aspects.
However, Aquinas' philosophy adds a spiritual dimension to these needs. While Maslow's hierarchy culminates in self-actualization, realizing one's full potential, Aquinas' natural law points us towards a higher end - pursuing virtue and attaining our ultimate good. This is not just about fulfilling our personal desires or achieving our individual goals but about aligning our actions with the moral law and contributing to the greater good.
Aquinas' natural law provides a moral framework for understanding and fulfilling our basic human needs. It's not just about survival, reproduction, knowledge, or social interaction but about living a life of virtue, a life that reflects our deepest values and highest aspirations. It's about striving for a state of being where our actions are beneficial for us, our community, and our world.
Aquinas' philosophy is not merely a study of our physical or bodily inclinations. He delves deeper, adding a spiritual dimension to our understanding of human nature. He posited that our spiritual nature gives us a higher perspective on our lower or bodily inclinations. This spiritual nature is not an abstract or esoteric concept but a fundamental aspect of our humanity that shapes our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
To illustrate this, let's turn to the world of Star Wars and the concept of the Force. As Obi-Wan Kenobi explains to a young Luke Skywalker, the Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. Similarly, according to Aquinas, our spiritual nature permeates our being, influencing our thoughts, actions, and decisions. It gives us a higher understanding and control over our actions, much like the Force gives Jedi knights power and wisdom.
This spiritual nature, however, is not a constraint or limitation on our freedom. On the contrary, it is the very source of our freedom. It's like the arc reactor in Tony Stark's chest in the Iron Man series. The arc reactor, a powerful energy source, doesn't limit Tony Stark. Instead, it powers him, allowing him to become Iron Man, fly, create powerful weapons, and protect the world.
Similarly, our spiritual nature doesn't limit our freedom. Instead, it empowers us, allowing us to make moral choices, discern right from wrong, and act according to our values. It gives us the capacity to rise above our base instincts and desires, to act not just in our self-interest but for the greater good. It enables us to transcend our physical limitations and strive for higher ideals, to become not just human beings but moral beings.
Aquinas' philosophy offers a holistic understanding of human nature, encompassing both our physical and spiritual dimensions. It reminds us that we are not just physical beings driven by bodily needs and desires but spiritual beings capable of moral reasoning and ethical action. It encourages us to embrace our spiritual nature, harness its power, and use it to guide our actions and decisions, much like Tony Stark uses the arc reactor to become Iron Man.
Aquinas' teachings on natural law extend beyond philosophy and have profound implications for human law and governance. He posited that human laws - the rules and regulations that govern our societies - should be in harmony with natural law. In other words, our societal laws should reflect and uphold the fundamental moral principles inherent to our human nature. Laws that contradict these principles, according to Aquinas, are not morally binding. They may have the force of law but lack the moral authority that comes from aligning with natural law.
This perspective resonates with civil disobedience, a form of protest famously practiced by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Both leaders believed in the moral duty to disobey unjust laws that violated the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity. They saw civil disobedience not as an act of rebellion but as an act of moral courage, a testament to the power of natural law over human law.
In pop culture, I can see this concept in action in the dystopian series, The Hunger Games. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, defies the oppressive laws of the Capitol, not out of defiance but out of a deep-seated belief in justice and human dignity. In her view, these laws contradict her sense of natural law and her inherent understanding of right and wrong. Her rebellion, therefore, is not just a fight against tyranny but a stand for the principles of natural law.
However, applying the principles of natural law to specific situations can be complex. Aquinas acknowledged that while some aspects of natural law, like the prohibition of murder or theft, are universally applicable, others may vary depending on the circumstances. This is where human law comes in, to provide specific rules for a particular society, much like the rules in different Hogwarts houses in the Harry Potter series. Each house has its own set of rules, reflecting its unique values and traditions, but all are underpinned by the overarching principles of the wizarding world.
In conclusion, the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas, though rooted in the 13th century, continue to resonate in our modern world. His concepts of eternal law and natural law provide a robust framework for understanding morality and law, offering timeless insights into the ethical dilemmas and moral questions we grapple with today. Whether we're navigating the complexities of digital ethics in the age of social media, grappling with social justice issues in an increasingly diverse society, or simply trying to live a life of integrity and purpose, Aquinas' wisdom offers invaluable guidance.
As we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, we will do well to remember Aquinas' teachings. His emphasis on the harmony between natural law and human law, his belief in the power of our spiritual nature, and his commitment to the principles of justice and human dignity offer a compass to guide us through the complexities of our modern world. By aligning our actions with the principles of natural law, we can contribute to a world that is not just technologically advanced but also morally enlightened.