- Whether the body of the first man was made of the slime of the earth?
Whether the body of the first man was made of the slime of the earth?
Objections
❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that the body of the first man was not made of the slime of the earth. For it is an act of greater power to make something out of nothing than out of something; because "not being" is farther off from actual existence than "being in potentiality." But since man is the most honorable of God's lower creatures, it was fitting that in the production of man's body, the power of God should be most clearly shown. Therefore it should not have been made of the slime of the earth, but out of nothing.
❌ Objection 2 : Further, the heavenly bodies are nobler than earthly bodies. But the human body has the greatest nobility; since it is perfected by the noblest form, which is the rational soul. Therefore it should not be made of an earthly body, but of a heavenly body.
❌ Objection 3 : Further, fire and air are nobler than earth and water, as is clear from their subtlety. Therefore, since the human body is most noble, it should rather have been made of fire and air than of the slime of the earth.
❌ Objection 4 : Further, the human body is composed of the four elements. Therefore it was not made of the slime of the earth, but of the four elements.