Teleology (Aquinas 101)

Summary

This video explores the concept of teleology, the idea that everything has an end or purpose, drawing from Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. It explains that understanding an object's purpose, like how a car is for transportation, is key to understanding its nature. Aquinas extends this idea to all things, including nature and inanimate objects, arguing that everything has a directedness or inclination toward an end. Ultimately, Aquinas asserts that this order comes from God, who is the source and ultimate end of all things, and that fulfilling one's purpose leads to flourishing.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Understanding something deeply involves asking, 'What is it for?' (its purpose).
• 📜 St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle, discusses this concept as the 'end' or 'finality' of a thing, known as teleology.
• 🚗 Teleology is easy to see in artificial objects like cars (transportation) or clocks (keeping time).
• 🌍 Aquinas argues that teleology is universal—everything in existence acts towards an end or purpose.
• 👀 Even natural things have purposes: eyes are for seeing, and teeth are for chewing, with form and material suited to their function.
• 🌳 In both animate and inanimate nature, things have tendencies: trees grow toward sunlight, stones fall towards the earth, and matches generate heat.
• 🧠 These tendencies don't imply consciousness but show a reliable pattern of cause and effect, even in inanimate objects.
• 🔬 Science also presupposes this order by aiming to understand intelligible patterns within the universe, such as the Big Bang or evolution.
• 🙏 Aquinas concludes that this intelligible order points to an intelligent source, which he identifies as God.
• 👍 A thing reaches its fullest potential and flourishes when it attains its natural end or purpose—what is 'good' for it.

Q & A

What is teleology according to St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle?

Teleology, derived from the Greek word 'telos' meaning 'end,' refers to the idea that everything has a purpose or goal. Aquinas, following Aristotle, believes that understanding something requires knowing the purpose for which it exists.

How is teleology applied to artificial objects?

Teleology is easily applied to artificial objects by recognizing their purpose. For example, a car is made for transportation, and a clock is made to keep time. These objects are fully understood only when their purpose is clear.

How does Aquinas extend teleology to natural things?

Aquinas argues that teleology applies to all things, not just artificial objects. For instance, eyes are for seeing, teeth are for chewing, trees grow towards sunlight, and stones fall towards the earth's center. Everything acts for an end, according to its nature.

Why does Aquinas believe that even inanimate objects have a kind of directedness?

Aquinas believes that inanimate objects have a form of directedness because they follow reliable patterns. For example, a stone resists breaking, and a match generates heat. These behaviors indicate a natural tendency towards certain ends, even without conscious awareness.

How does modern science align with the concept of teleology?

Modern science, while not explicitly using teleology, presupposes an intelligible order in the universe. Science uncovers reliable patterns, systems, and rules in the natural world, which aligns with the idea that everything has a directedness or purpose, as Aquinas suggests.

What role does God play in Aquinas' understanding of teleology?

Aquinas argues that the order and directedness seen in all things ultimately come from an intelligent source, which he identifies as God. God is the ultimate end or purpose of all things, providing the foundation for their directedness.

How does the concept of teleology help us understand what is good for something?

Teleology helps define what is good for something by showing that things flourish when they achieve their natural end. For instance, eyes are good when they see, and teeth are good when they chew. This understanding helps explain the nature of flourishing and well-being.

Why is it considered bad to use things against their purpose, according to Aquinas?

Using things against their natural purpose leads to damage or harm. For example, using teeth to open a beer bottle can break them because they are not made for that. Things function best when used according to their intended end.

What is the connection between the reliable patterns in nature and Aquinas' teleology?

Aquinas sees the reliable patterns in nature, like a tree growing towards the sun or a match generating heat, as evidence of teleology. These patterns suggest that everything has an inherent directedness towards a specific end, revealing an underlying order in the universe.

How does teleology relate to human flourishing in Aquinas' philosophy?

In Aquinas' view, human flourishing occurs when people fulfill their natural purpose or end. This means acting in accordance with reason, pursuing the good, and aligning with the ultimate end, which is God. Teleology offers a framework for understanding human well-being and moral actions.