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Question: 89 [<< | >>]
We must now consider the knowledge of the separated soul. Under this
head there are eight points of inquiry:
(1) Whether the soul separated from the body can understand?
(2) Whether it understands separate substances?
(3) Whether it understands all natural things?
(4) Whether it understands individuals and singulars?
(5) Whether the habits of knowledge acquired in this life remain?
(6) Whether the soul can use the habit of knowledge here acquired?
(7) Whether local distance impedes the separated soul's knowledge?
(8) Whether souls separated from the body know what happens here?
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 1 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that the soul separated from the body can
understand nothing at all. For the Philosopher says (De Anima i, 4) that
"the understanding is corrupted together with its interior principle."
But by death all human interior principles are corrupted. Therefore also
the intellect itself is corrupted.
Objection 2: Further, the human soul is hindered from understanding when the
senses are tied, and by a distracted imagination, as explained above
(Question [84], Articles [7],8). But death destroys the senses and imagination, as we
have shown above (Question [77], Article [8]). Therefore after death the soul
understands nothing.
Objection 3: Further, if the separated soul can understand, this must be by
means of some species. But it does not understand by means of innate
species, because it has none such; being at first "like a tablet on which
nothing is written": nor does it understand by species abstracted from
things, for it does not then possess organs of sense and imagination
which are necessary for the abstraction of species: nor does it
understand by means of species, formerly abstracted and retained in the
soul; for if that were so, a child's soul would have no means of
understanding at all: nor does it understand by means of intelligible
species divinely infused, for such knowledge would not be natural, such
as we treat of now, but the effect of grace. Therefore the soul apart
from the body understands nothing.
On the contrary, The Philosopher says (De Anima i, 1), "If the soul had
no proper operation, it could not be separated from the body." But the
soul is separated from the body; therefore it has a proper operation and
above all, that which consists in intelligence. Therefore the soul can
understand when it is apart from the body.
I answer that, The difficulty in solving this question arises from the
fact that the soul united to the body can understand only by turning to
the phantasms, as experience shows. Did this not proceed from the soul's
very nature, but accidentally through its being bound up with the body,
as the Platonists said, the difficulty would vanish; for in that case
when the body was once removed, the soul would at once return to its own
nature, and would understand intelligible things simply, without turning
to the phantasms, as is exemplified in the case of other separate
substances. In that case, however, the union of soul and body would not
be for the soul's good, for evidently it would understand worse in the
body than out of it; but for the good of the body, which would be
unreasonable, since matter exists on account of the form, and not the
form for the sake of matter. But if we admit that the nature of the soul
requires it to understand by turning to the phantasms, it will seem,
since death does not change its nature, that it can then naturally
understand nothing; as the phantasms are wanting to which it may turn.
To solve this difficulty we must consider that as nothing acts except so
far as it is actual, the mode of action in every agent follows from its
mode of existence. Now the soul has one mode of being when in the body,
and another when apart from it, its nature remaining always the same; but
this does not mean that its union with the body is an accidental thing,
for, on the contrary, such union belongs to its very nature, just as the
nature of a light object is not changed, when it is in its proper place,
which is natural to it, and outside its proper place, which is beside its
nature. The soul, therefore, when united to the body, consistently with
that mode of existence, has a mode of understanding, by turning to
corporeal phantasms, which are in corporeal organs; but when it is
separated from the body, it has a mode of understanding, by turning to
simply intelligible objects, as is proper to other separate substances.
Hence it is as natural for the soul to understand by turning to the
phantasms as it is for it to be joined to the body; but to be separated
from the body is not in accordance with its nature, and likewise to
understand without turning to the phantasms is not natural to it; and
hence it is united to the body in order that it may have an existence and
an operation suitable to its nature. But here again a difficulty arises.
For since nature is always ordered to what is best, and since it is
better to understand by turning to simply intelligible objects than by
turning to the phantasms; God should have ordered the soul's nature so
that the nobler way of understanding would have been natural to it, and
it would not have needed the body for that purpose.
In order to resolve this difficulty we must consider that while it is
true that it is nobler in itself to understand by turning to something
higher than to understand by turning to phantasms, nevertheless such a
mode of understanding was not so perfect as regards what was possible to
the soul. This will appear if we consider that every intellectual
substance possesses intellective power by the influence of the Divine
light, which is one and simple in its first principle, and the farther
off intellectual creatures are from the first principle so much the more
is the light divided and diversified, as is the case with lines radiating
from the centre of a circle. Hence it is that God by His one Essence
understands all things; while the superior intellectual substances
understand by means of a number of species, which nevertheless are fewer
and more universal and bestow a deeper comprehension of things, because
of the efficaciousness of the intellectual power of such natures: whereas
the inferior intellectual natures possess a greater number of species,
which are less universal, and bestow a lower degree of comprehension, in
proportion as they recede from the intellectual power of the higher
natures. If, therefore, the inferior substances received species in the
same degree of universality as the superior substances, since they are
not so strong in understanding, the knowledge which they would derive
through them would be imperfect, and of a general and confused nature. We
can see this to a certain extent in man, for those who are of weaker
intellect fail to acquire perfect knowledge through the universal
conceptions of those who have a better understanding, unless things are
explained to them singly and in detail. Now it is clear that in the
natural order human souls hold the lowest place among intellectual
substances. But the perfection of the universe required various grades of
being. If, therefore, God had willed souls to understand in the same way
as separate substances, it would follow that human knowledge, so far from
being perfect, would be confused and general. Therefore to make it
possible for human souls to possess perfect and proper knowledge, they
were so made that their nature required them to be joined to bodies, and
thus to receive the proper and adequate knowledge of sensible things from
the sensible things themselves; thus we see in the case of uneducated men
that they have to be taught by sensible examples.
It is clear then that it was for the soul's good that it was united to a
body, and that it understands by turning to the phantasms. Nevertheless
it is possible for it to exist apart from the body, and also to
understand in another way.
Reply to Objection 1: The Philosopher's words carefully examined will show that
he said this on the previous supposition that understanding is a movement
of body and soul as united, just as sensation is, for he had not as yet
explained the difference between intellect and sense. We may also say
that he is referring to the way of understanding by turning to phantasms.
This is also the meaning of the second objection.
Reply to Objection 3: The separated soul does not understand by way of innate
species, nor by species abstracted then, nor only by species retained,
and this the objection proves; but the soul in that state understands by
means of participated species arising from the influence of the Divine
light, shared by the soul as by other separate substances; though in a
lesser degree. Hence as soon as it ceases to act by turning to corporeal
(phantasms), the soul turns at once to the superior things; nor is this
way of knowledge unnatural, for God is the author of the influx of both
of the light of grace and of the light of nature.
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 2 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that the separated soul does not understand
separate substances. For the soul is more perfect when joined to the body
than when existing apart from it, being an essential part of human
nature; and every part of a whole is more perfect when it exists in that
whole. But the soul in the body does not understand separate substances
as shown above (Question [88], Article [1]). Therefore much less is it able to do so
when apart from the body.
Objection 2: Further, whatever is known is known either by its presence or by
its species. But separate substances cannot be known to the soul by their
presence, for God alone can enter into the soul; nor by means of species
abstracted by the soul from an angel, for an angel is more simple than a
soul. Therefore the separated soul cannot at all understand separate
substances.
Objection 3: Further, some philosophers said that the ultimate happiness of
man consists in the knowledge of separate substances. If, therefore, the
separated soul can understand separate substances, its happiness would be
secured by its separation alone; which cannot be reasonably be said.
On the contrary, Souls apart from the body know other separated souls;
as we see in the case of the rich man in hell, who saw Lazarus and
Abraham (@Lk. 16:23). Therefore separated souls see the devils and the
angels.
I answer that, Augustine says (De Trin. ix, 3), "our mind acquires the
knowledge of incorporeal things by itself"---i.e. by knowing itself
(Question [88], Article [1], ad 1). Therefore from the knowledge which the separated
soul has of itself, we can judge how it knows other separate things. Now
it was said above (Article [1]), that as long as it is united to the body the
soul understands by turning to phantasms, and therefore it does not
understand itself save through becoming actually intelligent by means of
ideas abstracted from phantasms; for thus it understands itself through
its own act, as shown above (Question [87], Article [1]). When, however, it is
separated from the body, it understands no longer by turning to
phantasms, but by turning to simply intelligible objects; hence in that
state it understands itself through itself. Now, every separate substance
"understands what is above itself and what is below itself, according to
the mode of its substance" (De Causis viii): for a thing is understood
according as it is in the one who understands; while one thing is in
another according to the nature of that in which it is. And the mode of
existence of a separated soul is inferior to that of an angel, but is the
same as that of other separated souls. Therefore the soul apart from the
body has perfect knowledge of other separated souls, but it has an
imperfect and defective knowledge of the angels so far as its natural
knowledge is concerned. But the knowledge of glory is otherwise.
Reply to Objection 1: The separated soul is, indeed, less perfect considering its
nature in which it communicates with the nature of the body: but it has a
greater freedom of intelligence, since the weight and care of the body is
a clog upon the clearness of its intelligence in the present life.
Reply to Objection 2: The separated soul understands the angels by means of
divinely impressed ideas; which, however, fail to give perfect knowledge
of them, forasmuch as the nature of the soul is inferior to that of an
angel.
Reply to Objection 3: Man's ultimate happiness consists not in the knowledge of
any separate substances; but in the knowledge of God, Who is seen only by
grace. The knowledge of other separate substances if perfectly understood
gives great happiness---not final and ultimate happiness. But the
separated soul does not understand them perfectly, as was shown above in
this article.
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 3 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that the separated soul knows all natural things.
For the types of all natural things exist in separate substances.
Therefore, as separated souls know separate substances, they also know
all natural things.
Objection 2: Further, whoever understands the greater intelligible, will be
able much more to understand the lesser intelligible. But the separated
soul understands immaterial substances, which are in the highest degree
of intelligibility. Therefore much more can it understand all natural
things which are in a lower degree of intelligibility.
On the contrary, The devils have greater natural knowledge than the
separated soul; yet they do not know all natural things, but have to
learn many things by long experience, as Isidore says (De Summo Bono i).
Therefore neither can the separated soul know all natural things.
I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]), the separated soul, like the
angels, understands by means of species, received from the influence of
the Divine light. Nevertheless, as the soul by nature is inferior to an
angel, to whom this kind of knowledge is natural, the soul apart from the
body through such species does not receive perfect knowledge, but only a
general and confused kind of knowledge. Separated souls, therefore, have
the same relation through such species to imperfect and confused
knowledge of natural things as the angels have to the perfect knowledge
thereof. Now angels through such species know all natural things
perfectly; because all that God has produced in the respective natures of
natural things has been produced by Him in the angelic intelligence, as
Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. ii, 8). Hence it follows that separated
souls know all natural things not with a certain and proper knowledge,
but in a general and confused manner.
Reply to Objection 1: Even an angel does not understand all natural things
through his substance, but through certain species, as stated above
(Question [87], Article [1]). So it does not follow that the soul knows all natural
things because it knows separate substances after a fashion.
Reply to Objection 2: As the soul separated from the body does not perfectly
understand separate substances, so neither does it know all natural
things perfectly; but it knows them confusedly, as above explained in
this article.
Reply to Objection 3: Isidore speaks of the knowledge of the future which neither
angels, nor demons, nor separated souls, know except so far as future
things pre-exist in their causes or are known by Divine revelation. But
we are here treating of the knowledge of natural things.
Reply to Objection 4: Knowledge acquired here by study is proper and perfect; the
knowledge of which we speak is confused. Hence it does not follow that to
study in order to learn is useless.
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 4 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that the separated soul does not know singulars.
For no cognitive power besides the intellect remains in the separated
soul, as is clear from what has been said above (Question [77], Article [8]). But the
intellect cannot know singulars, as we have shown (Question [86], Article [1]).
Therefore the separated soul cannot know singulars.
Objection 2: Further, the knowledge of the singular is more determinate than
knowledge of the universal. But the separated soul has no determinate
knowledge of the species of natural things, therefore much less can it
know singulars.
Objection 3: Further, if it knew the singulars, yet not by sense, for the same reason it would know all singulars. But it does not know all singulars. Therefore it knows none.
On the contrary, The rich man in hell said: "I have five brethren" (@Lk. 16:28).
I answer that, Separated souls know some singulars, but not all, not
even all present singulars. To understand this, we must consider that
there is a twofold way of knowing things, one by means of abstraction
from phantasms, and in this way singulars cannot be directly known by the
intellect, but only indirectly, as stated above (Question [86], Article [1]). The other
way of understanding is by the infusion of species by God, and in that
way it is possible for the intellect to know singulars. For as God knows
all things, universal and singular, by His Essence, as the cause of
universal and individual principles (Question [14], Article [2]), so likewise separate
substances can know singulars by species which are a kind of participated
similitude of the Divine Essence. There is a difference, however, between
angels and separated souls in the fact that through these species the
angels have a perfect and proper knowledge of things; whereas separated
have only a confused knowledge. Hence the angels, by reason of their
perfect intellect, through these species, know not only the specific
natures of things, but also the singulars contained in those species;
whereas separated souls by these species know only those singulars to
which they are determined by former knowledge in this life, or by some
affection, or by natural aptitude, or by the disposition of the Divine
order; because whatever is received into anything is conditioned
according to the mode of the recipient.
Reply to Objection 1: The intellect does not know the singular by way of
abstraction; neither does the separated soul know it thus; but as
explained above.
Reply to Objection 2: The knowledge of the separated soul is confined to those
species or individuals to which the soul has some kind of determinate
relation, as we have said.
Reply to Objection 3: The separated soul has not the same relation to all
singulars, but one relation to some, and another to others. Therefore
there is not the same reason why it should know all singulars.
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 5 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that the habit of knowledge acquired in this life
does not remain in the soul separated from the body: for the Apostle
says: "Knowledge shall be destroyed" (@1 Cor. 13:8).
Objection 2: Further, some in this world who are less good enjoy knowledge denied to others who are better. If, therefore, the habit of knowledge remained in the soul after death, it would follow that some who are less good would, even in the future life, excel some who are better; which seems unreasonable.
Objection 3: Further, separated souls will possess knowledge by influence of
the Divine light. Supposing, therefore, that knowledge here acquired
remained in the separated soul, it would follow that two forms of the
same species would co-exist in the same subject which cannot be.
Objection 4: Further, the Philosopher says (Praedic. vi, 4,5), that "a habit
is a quality hard to remove: yet sometimes knowledge is destroyed by
sickness or the like." But in this life there is no change so thorough as
death. Therefore it seems that the habit of knowledge is destroyed by
death.
On the contrary, Jerome says (Ep. liii, ad Paulinum), "Let us learn on
earth that kind of knowledge which will remain with us in heaven."
I answer that, Some say that the habit of knowledge resides not in the
intellect itself, but in the sensitive powers, namely, the imaginative,
cogitative, and memorative, and that the intelligible species are not
kept in the passive intellect. If this were true, it would follow that
when the body is destroyed by death, knowledge here acquired would also
be entirely destroyed.
But, since knowledge resides in the intellect, which is "the abode of
species," as the Philosopher says (De Anima iii, 4), the habit of
knowledge here acquired must be partly in the aforesaid sensitive powers
and partly in the intellect. This can be seen by considering the very
actions from which knowledge arises. For "habits are like the actions
whereby they are acquired" (Ethic. ii, 1). Now the actions of the
intellect, by which knowledge is here acquired, are performed by the mind
turning to the phantasms in the aforesaid sensitive powers. Hence through
such acts the passive intellect acquires a certain facility in
considering the species received: and the aforesaid sensitive powers
acquire a certain aptitude in seconding the action of the intellect when
it turns to them to consider the intelligible object. But as the
intellectual act resides chiefly and formally in the intellect itself,
whilst it resides materially and dispositively in the inferior powers,
the same distinction is to be applied to habit.
Knowledge, therefore, acquired in the present life does not remain in
the separated soul, as regards what belongs to the sensitive powers; but
as regards what belongs to the intellect itself, it must remain; because,
as the Philosopher says (De Long. et Brev. Vitae ii), a form may be
corrupted in two ways; first, directly, when corrupted by its contrary,
as heat, by cold; and secondly, indirectly, when its subject is
corrupted. Now it is evident that human knowledge is not corrupted
through corruption of the subject, for the intellect is an incorruptible
faculty, as above stated (Question [79], Article [2], ad 2). Neither can the
intelligible species in the passive intellect be corrupted by their
contrary; for there is no contrary to intelligible "intentions," above
all as regards simple intelligence of "what a thing is." But contrariety
may exist in the intellect as regards mental composition and division,
or also reasoning; so far as what is false in statement or argument is
contrary to truth. And thus knowledge may be corrupted by its contrary
when a false argument seduces anyone from the knowledge of truth. For
this reason the Philosopher in the above work mentions two ways in which
knowledge is corrupted directly: namely, "forgetfulness" on the part of
the memorative power, and "deception" on the part of a false argument.
But these have no place in the separated soul. Therefore we must conclude
that the habit of knowledge, so far as it is in the intellect, remains in
the separated soul.
Reply to Objection 1: The Apostle is not speaking of knowledge as a habit, but as
to the act of knowing; and hence he says, in proof of the assertion
quoted, "Now, I know in part."
Reply to Objection 2: As a less good man may exceed a better man in bodily
stature, so the same kind of man may have a habit of knowledge in the
future life which a better man may not have. Such knowledge, however,
cannot be compared with the other prerogatives enjoyed by the better man.
Reply to Objection 3: These two kinds of knowledge are not of the same species,
so there is no impossibility.
Reply to Objection 4: This objection considers the corruption of knowledge on the
part of the sensitive powers.
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 6 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that the act of knowledge here acquired does not
remain in the separated soul. For the Philosopher says (De Anima i, 4),
that when the body is corrupted, "the soul neither remembers nor loves."
But to consider what is previously known is an act of memory. Therefore
the separated soul cannot retain an act of knowledge here acquired.
Objection 2: Further, intelligible species cannot have greater power in the
separated soul than they have in the soul united to the body. But in this
life we cannot understand by intelligible species without turning to
phantasms, as shown above (Question [84], Article [7]). Therefore the separated soul
cannot do so, and thus it cannot understand at all by intelligible
species acquired in this life.
Objection 3: Further, the Philosopher says (Ethic. ii, 1), that "habits
produce acts similar to those whereby they are acquired." But the habit
of knowledge is acquired here by acts of the intellect turning to
phantasms: therefore it cannot produce any other acts. These acts,
however, are not adapted to the separated soul. Therefore the soul in the
state of separation cannot produce any act of knowledge acquired in this
life.
On the contrary, It was said to Dives in hell (@Lk. 16:25): "Remember
thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime."
I answer that, Action offers two things for our consideration---its
species and its mode. Its species comes from the object, whereto the
faculty of knowledge is directed by the (intelligible) species, which is
the object's similitude; whereas the mode is gathered from the power of
the agent. Thus that a person see a stone is due to the species of the
stone in his eye; but that he see it clearly, is due to the eye's visual
power. Therefore as the intelligible species remain in the separated
soul, as stated above (Article [5]), and since the state of the separated soul
is not the same as it is in this life, it follows that through the
intelligible species acquired in this life the soul apart from the body
can understand what it understood formerly, but in a different way; not
by turning to phantasms, but by a mode suited to a soul existing apart
from the body. Thus the act of knowledge here acquired remains in the
separated soul, but in a different way.
Reply to Objection 1: The Philosopher speaks of remembrance, according as memory
belongs to the sensitive part, but not as belonging in a way to the
intellect, as explained above (Question [79], Article [6]).
Reply to Objection 2: The different mode of intelligence is produced by the
different state of the intelligent soul; not by diversity of species.
Reply to Objection 3: The acts which produce a habit are like the acts caused by
that habit, in species, but not in mode. For example, to do just things,
but not justly, that is, pleasurably, causes the habit of political
justice, whereby we act pleasurably. (Cf. Aristotle, Ethic. v, 8: Magn.
Moral. i, 34).
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 7 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that local distance impedes the separated soul's
knowledge. For Augustine says (De Cura pro Mort. xiii), that "the souls
of the dead are where they cannot know what is done here." But they know
what is done among themselves. Therefore local distance impedes the
knowledge in the separated soul.
Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Divin. Daemon. iii), that "the
demon's rapidity of movement enables them to tell things unknown to us."
But agility of movement would be useless in that respect unless their
knowledge was impeded by local distance; which, therefore, is a much
greater hindrance to the knowledge of the separated soul, whose nature is
inferior to the demon's.
Objection 3: Further, as there is distance of place, so is there distance of
time. But distance of time impedes knowledge in the separated soul, for
the soul is ignorant of the future. Therefore it seems that distance of
place also impedes its knowledge.
On the contrary, It is written (@Lk. 16:23), that Dives, "lifting up his
eyes when he was in torment, saw Abraham afar off." Therefore local
distance does not impede knowledge in the separated soul.
I answer that, Some have held that the separated soul knows the singular
by abstraction from the sensible. If that were so, it might be that local
distance would impede its knowledge; for either the sensible would need
to act upon the soul, or the soul upon the sensible, and in either case a
determinate distance would be necessary. This is, however, impossible
because abstraction of the species from the sensible is done through the
senses and other sensible faculties which do not remain actually in the
soul apart from the body. But the soul when separated understands
singulars by species derived from the Divine light, which is indifferent
to what is near or distant. Hence knowledge in the separated soul is not
hindered by local distance.
Reply to Objection 1: Augustine says that the souls of the departed cannot see
what is done here, not because they are 'there,' as if impeded by local
distance; but for some other cause, as we shall explain (Article [8]).
Reply to Objection 2: Augustine speaks there in accordance with the opinion that
demons have bodies naturally united to them, and so have sensitive
powers, which require local distance. In the same book he expressly sets
down this opinion, though apparently rather by way of narration than of
assertion, as we may gather from De Civ. Dei xxi, 10.
Reply to Objection 3: The future, which is distant in time, does not actually
exist, and therefore is not knowable in itself, because so far as a thing
falls short of being, so far does it fall short of being knowable. But
what is locally distant exists actually, and is knowable in itself. Hence
we cannot argue from distance of time to distance of place.
Index [<< | >>]
First Part [<< | >>]
Question: 89 [<< | >>]
Article: 8 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that separated souls know what takes place on
earth; for otherwise they would have no care for it, as they have,
according to what Dives said (@Lk. 16:27,28), "I have five brethren . . .
he may testify unto them, lest they also come into the place of
torments." Therefore separated souls know what passes on earth.
Objection 2: Further, the dead often appear to the living, asleep or awake,
and tell them of what takes place there; as Samuel appeared to Saul (1
Kgs. 28:11). But this could not be unless they knew what takes place
here. Therefore they know what takes place on earth.
Objection 3: Further, separated souls know what happens among themselves. If,
therefore, they do not know what takes place among us, it must be by
reason of local distance; which has been shown to be false (Article [7]).
On the contrary, It is written (@Job 14:21): "He will not understand
whether his children come to honor or dishonor."
I answer that, By natural knowledge, of which we are treating now, the
souls of the dead do not know what passes on earth. This follows from
what has been laid down (Article [4]), since the separated soul has knowledge of
singulars, by being in a way determined to them, either by some vestige
of previous knowledge or affection, or by the Divine order. Now the souls
departed are in a state of separation from the living, both by Divine
order and by their mode of existence, whilst they are joined to the world
of incorporeal spiritual substances; and hence they are ignorant of what
goes on among us. Whereof Gregory gives the reason thus: "The dead do not
know how the living act, for the life of the spirit is far from the life
of the flesh; and so, as corporeal things differ from incorporeal in
genus, so they are distinct in knowledge" (Moral. xii). Augustine seems
to say the same (De Cura pro Mort. xiii), when he asserts that, "the
souls of the dead have no concern in the affairs of the living."
Gregory and Augustine, however, seem to be divided in opinion as regards
the souls of the blessed in heaven, for Gregory continues the passage
above quoted: "The case of the holy souls is different, for since they
see the light of Almighty God, we cannot believe that external things are
unknown to them." But Augustine (De Cura pro Mort. xiii) expressly says:
"The dead, even the saints do not know what is done by the living or by
their own children," as a gloss quotes on the text, "Abraham hath not
known us" (@Is. 63:16). He confirms this opinion by saying that he was not
visited, nor consoled in sorrow by his mother, as when she was alive; and
he could not think it possible that she was less kind when in a happier
state; and again by the fact that the Lord promised to king Josias that
he should die, lest he should see his people's afflictions (@4 Kgs. 22:20). Yet Augustine says this in doubt; and premises, "Let every one
take, as he pleases, what I say." Gregory, on the other hand, is
positive, since he says, "We cannot believe." His opinion, indeed, seems
to be the more probable one---that the souls of the blessed who see God
do know all that passes here. For they are equal to the angels, of whom
Augustine says that they know what happens among those living on earth.
But as the souls of the blessed are most perfectly united to Divine
justice, they do not suffer from sorrow, nor do they interfere in mundane
affairs, except in accordance with Divine justice.
Reply to Objection 1: The souls of the departed may care for the living, even if ignorant of their state; just as we care for the dead by pouring forth prayer on their behalf, though we are ignorant of their state. Moreover, the affairs of the living can be made known to them not immediately, but the souls who pass hence thither, or by angels and demons, or even by "the revelation of the Holy Ghost," as Augustine says in the same book.
Reply to Objection 2: That the dead appear to the living in any way whatever is
either by the special dispensation of God; in order that the souls of the
dead may interfere in affairs of the living---and this is to be accounted
as miraculous. Or else such apparitions occur through the instrumentality
of bad or good angels, without the knowledge of the departed; as may
likewise happen when the living appear, without their own knowledge, to
others living, as Augustine says in the same book. And so it may be said
of Samuel that he appeared through Divine revelation; according to
Ecclus. 46:23, "he slept, and told the king the end of his life." Or,
again, this apparition was procured by the demons; unless, indeed, the
authority of Ecclesiasticus be set aside through not being received by
the Jews as canonical Scripture.
Reply to Objection 3: This kind of ignorance does not proceed from the obstacle
of local distance, but from the cause mentioned above.