Thomas Aquinas on hermaphrodites?
Upvote:-1
"This can be made clear if we observe the mode of generation carried out in various living things. Some living things do not possess in themselves the power of generation, but are generated by some other specific agent, such as some plants and animals by the influence of the heavenly bodies, from some fitting matter and not from seed: others possess the active and passive generative power together; as we see in plants which are generated from seed; for the noblest vital function in plants is generation. Wherefore we observe that in these the active power of generation invariably accompanies the passive power. Among perfect animals the active power of generation belongs to the male sex, and the passive power to the female. And as among animals there is a vital operation nobler than generation, to which their life is principally directed; therefore the male sex is not found in continual union with the female in perfect animals, but only at the time of coition; so that we may consider that by this means the male and female are one, as in plants they are always united; although in some cases one of them preponderates, and in some the other."
Upvote:3
The closest St. Thomas comes to discussing androgynous or hermaphroditic individuals seems to be Summa Theologica I q. 93 a. 4 (Whether the image of God is found in every human?) ad 1:
after the words, "To the image of God He created him," it is added, "Male and female He created them" (Gn. 1:27). Moreover it is said "them" in the plural, as Augustine (Gen. ad lit. iii, 22) remarks, lest it should be thought that both sexes were united in one individual.
Gen. I, cum dixisset, ad imaginem Dei creavit illum, scilicet hominem, subdidit, masculum et feminam creavit eos, et dixit pluraliter eos, ut Augustinus dicit, ne intelligatur in uno individuo uterque sexus fuisse coniunctus.
A hermaphrodite is "both sexes" "united in one individual".
The words hermaphroditus, gynandria, and androgynia* do not appear in St. Thomas's works, but he does discuss monstra ("monsters") 79×.
*cf. these terms in the 1917 Code of Canon Law
A monstrum is an offspring with a birth defect; Summa Theologica II-II q. 51 a. 4 c.:
monstrous births of animals are beside the order of the active seminal force, and yet they come under the order of a higher principle, namely, of a heavenly body, or higher still, of Divine Providence.
monstruosi partus animalium sunt præter ordinem virtutis activæ in semine, tamen cadunt sub ordine altioris principii, scilicet cælestis corporis, vel ulterius providentiæ divinæ.
Note also: St. Thomas opposes Origen's theory that humans were androgynous before the Fall, that male and female genitalia were added in view of or after Adam's sin. See Summa Theologica suppl. q. 80 a. 1 "Whether all the members (parts) of the human body will rise again?"; St. Thomas shows the male and female genitalia are part of human nature, even before the Fall.
More post
- 📝 Should those who fall away and return to the church be baptized again? - Overview
- 📝 What are the arguments for and against miracles performed by Jesus?
- 📝 Does a comprehensive list for apostolic succession exist?
- 📝 What is the origin of the belief that God will not destroy the world but use the current one?
- 📝 Why is Jeremiah 31:31-34 interpreted by Catholic Christians to point toward Jesus?
- 📝 What do we mean by person?
- 📝 What's Christians take on pirating authors books, software, movies etc?
- 📝 How does Catholic sacramental theology explain the efficacy of the sacraments conducted by a priest who is in the state of mortal sin?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for Jesus' eternal pre-existence (as opposed to having been created a long time ago)?
- 📝 What is courting according to the Catholic interpretation of the Natural Law?
- 📝 What is the biblical and early church basis against religious tolerance?
- 📝 Can God replace his covenent with Abraham?
- 📝 Do any Protestant denominations recognize Latter Day Saints as Christians?
- 📝 How to pray and meditate while saying the rosary?
- 📝 Did 17th century Reformed Christians reject textual criticism?
- 📝 Is 1 Thessalonians 4:17 the only verse that supports the rapture?
- 📝 How do Catholics explain the stance of Pope Paul VI on contraception?
- 📝 From an LDS perspective, what is an Unclean Spirit?
- 📝 Dating the sacerdotal hierarchy
- 📝 Where, if anywhere, is it explicitly stated that the Church may borrow and adapt heathen feasts?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, is there a missing line between Verses 4 and 5 of John Chapter 2?
- 📝 In Western communion services, when was the origin of the practice of consistently offering only the bread to the laity?
- 📝 Christian Toleration
- 📝 How does Catholicism deal with the apparent paradox/conflict between "love thy neighbour" and "you will be rewarded"
- 📝 Does Acts 15:21 assume new believers would learn and follow the law from synagogues on sabbath?
- 📝 "Ask and you shall recieve" Can we ask for anything?
- 📝 What is seen to actually occur if a female were to be the subject of laying on of the hands in ordination?
- 📝 How do those who hold doctrines that God is omnipotent and omniscient answer what 1 Corinthians 1:25 implies?
- 📝 Would you be able to give up everything you own and follow Jesus?
- 📝 According to Catholicism, are we deserving or worthy of God's love in any way?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Did Thomas Aquinas rate masturbation as a greater sin than rape?
- 📝 On what basis does Thomas Aquinas say that the Church existed since the time of Abel?
- 📝 What is the evidence that Thomas Aquinas was assassinated?
- 📝 How did Thomas Aquinas view grace as opposed to the church fathers?
- 📝 Did St. Thomas Aquinas write anything about historiography?
- 📝 What lost bible commentary did St. Thomas Aquinas want more than an entire kingdom?
- 📝 Does St. Thomas Aquinas think idolatry is the main cause of h*m*sexuality?
- 📝 Did St. Thomas Aquinas deny the Holy Spirit proceeds immediately from the Father alone?
- 📝 What does St. Thomas Aquinas mean by 'alteration' of heavenly bodies in Summa Theologiae?
- 📝 St. Thomas Aquinas on Homosexuality?
- 📝 What's the reason behind St. Thomas Aquinas word choice "angelicus" in the hymn "Panis angelicus"?
- 📝 St. Thomas Aquinas on whether all will die before the Final Judgement?
- 📝 Thomas Aquinas on hermaphrodites?
- 📝 Where did St. Thomas Aquinas say Mary approached the borders of the Hypostatic Union?
- 📝 St. Thomas Aquinas on the Question: "What Must I Do to Go to Heaven?''
- 📝 Why does St. Thomas Aquinas cite Proverbs 11:14 as Ecclesiastes 4:9?
- 📝 What did St. Thomas Aquinas write about Christ's passion?
- 📝 What did Thomas Aquinas teach about the renewal of the world after judgement and what kinds of bodies will be renewed?
- 📝 Which does St. Thomas Aquinas teach is greater, to know God or to love Him?
- 📝 Why is the Gospel of Thomas considered heretical by Nicene Christians?
- 📝 Why was Thomas More canonized?
- 📝 Did Aquinas believe that church bells ward off bad weather?
- 📝 Did St. Thomas come to India?
- 📝 Did Thomas actually touch Jesus's side?
- 📝 What is the basis for saying that the Gospel of Thomas was accepted as scripture by early Christians?
- 📝 What did Aquinas do for recreation?
- 📝 What is the basis for saying that Aquinas accepted the Immaculate Conception?
- 📝 Why did Aquinas place so much credence in Aristotle?
- 📝 St. Thomas Aquinas' contingency proof and LDS cosmology
- 📝 What was St. Thomas Aquinas's view on the difference between punishment accorded to original sin and punishment accorded to individual sin?