How to Think Like a Thomist: Teleology

“The chicken does not exist only in order to produce another egg. He may also exist to amuse himself, to praise God, and even to suggest ideas to a French dramatist.”

G.K. Chesterton, What’s Wrong with the World

Following Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas speaks of the end or finality of a thing ― that for the sake of which a thing exists. Aquinas notes the innate directedness of all things. For example, in the world of plants, the tree seeks to grow upward toward the sunlight. Aquinas sees an intelligent source, which he calls God, as the animator and sustainer for this intelligible order.  In this video, you’ll learn about teleology and the importance it plays in understanding reality.

This Aquinas 101 video is a production of the Thomistic Institute. Check out supplemental readings and podcasts here.

Come back each week as we will continue to release videos in this series called “How to think like a Thomist.”

Image Credit: World History Encyclopedia