The Concept Of Change In The Philosophy Of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

The mention of the word "change" brings many ideas to mind. We may think of the change we receive in a store after having bought something or of the fact that we change our clothes, since change can have a variety of meanings let us, as an initial step of our thesis, view "change" in the ways in which it is commonly experienced by men. No more common experience of change occurs in the life of man than the process of growth. With the exception of Adam and Eve all men have experienced it and will experience it as long as men will be born. Four definite periods display this process of change in the life of a man, namely, babyhood, childhood, youth and maturity. Let us examine each in turn, noting while doing so, the expression of change. The babe comes into the world utterly helpless. Soft, flabby muscles prevent him from lifting any weight beyond that of a rattle. He must be handled with the utmost care lest his delicate body be injured. He depends on his mother for his food and he requires several hour's sleep both day and night. A few years pass and he advances from babyhood to youth with several changes having taken place. He can now throw a ball or pull a wagon. He can run without the anxious hand of a mother to brace him. He is now able to feed himself and is satisfied with a good night's sleep with a possible short nap in the afternoon.