Friday, May 01, 2009

Q91 A3: Whether the body of man was given an apt disposition?

Yes. God fashioned the human body in that disposition which was best, as most suited to such a form and to such operations, because the proximate end of the human body is the rational soul and its operations (since matter is for the sake of the form, and instruments are for the action of the agent).

Deus instituit corpus humanum in optima dispositione secundum convenientiam ad talem formam et ad tales operationes quia finis proximus humani corporis est anima rationalis et operationes ipsius (materia enim est propter formam, et instrumenta propter actiones agentis).

If defect exists in the disposition of the human body, it is well to observe that such defect arises as a necessary result of the matter, from the conditions required in the body, in order to make it suitably proportioned to the soul and its operations.

Si aliquis defectus in dispositione humani corporis esse videtur, considerandum est quod talis defectus sequitur ex necessitate materiae, ad ea quae requiruntur in corpore ut sit debita proportio ipsius ad animam et ad animae operationes.

God gave to each natural being the best disposition; not absolutely so, but in the view of its proper end. This is what the Philosopher says (Phys. ii, 7): "And because it is better so, not absolutely, but for each one's substance."

Deus unicuique rei naturali dedit optimam dispositionem, non quidem simpliciter, sed secundum ordinem ad proprium finem. Et hoc est quod philosophus dicit, in II Physic., "et quia dignius est sic, non tamen simpliciter, sed ad uniuscuiusque substantiam."

It is written (Ecclesiastes 7:30): "God made man right."

Dicitur Eccle. VII, "Deus fecit hominem rectum."