The Thomistic Goodness of Hierarchy

Interesting tidbit from Aquinas: In ST I, q.109, a.1 [http://newadvent.org/summa/1109.htm] he interacts with the question of ordered hierarchy among the demons as with the angels. This is considered a point of dispute, as indicated by the first objection that because hierarchy is inherently good, then evil beings would not exist in such a state. Also objection 2 is raised that hierarchy is part of the holy ordering of things, and so does not exist in evil.

Aquinas’ answer to the question and to these objections does not repudiate the underlying idea: that hierarchy is a reflection of the good and holy. His main response involves both a distinction in ordering by grace and by nature as well as seeing evil as the privation of the good. So although the demons are evil their hierarchy is a reflection of the holy state from which they fell and what good is left in their nature [as nature can only be corrupted, it cannot be pure evil because then it would cease to exist!]

Along with this the next article interacts with precedence among the demonic. Again assuming precedence to be holy, and in fact part of the virtue of justice! As demons lack justice they must all be equal in authority. (moderns must let that assertion sink in!) Demons, he argues, exist in an order by virtue of God’s justice and not their own.

What is interesting is the main point he is interacting with that is in direct repudiation of what would seem to be the modern assumption. The Medieval Christian saw hierarchy, order and structure where inherently good. So good in fact it caused problems for seeing the demonic in a hierarchy!

It seems most of the modern world goes the opposite way. It assumes that hierarchy must be evil, and so although it may fully expect the demonic (if it believes in such a thing) to be in order and probably are more troubled by an order and hierarchy in heaven among the angels and saints. It also seems must of the modern western world views not precedence as justice, but equality of authority.

An implication of Thomistic thought here is that a perfect world is also a perfectly ordered and hierarchical world. Contra Luther government is not just a necessary evil but would exist even had there been no sin. The attempt to escape authority is a reflection of pride. The self-ruled and self-made man who will make his own decisions and govern himself the way he alone sees fit of the modern western mythos would have by earlier Christians been considered demonic.

This shows the radical shift from the Christian scholastic period to modern ideals. I wonder if we didn’t loose something along the way…