St. Thomas Aquinas’ philosophy is that all living things have a soul; therefore, like humans, brute animals (i.e. non-human animals) possess a soul. The soul being referred to man should not be understood in the same sense that pertaining to animals.
The difference between the soul of brute animals and the soul of man is their subsistence. The soul of animals is not subsistent. It mainly pertains to sense, the subsistent form of which is the body. It drives the body and at the same time is affected by the body. Sensory capabilities, and thus the soul, of animals are weakened when the body becomes weak or afflicted. (Q 75 Art. 3)
Man’s soul is subsistent. It exists independent of the body. It is not dependent on the body to operate. It is not affected by any weakness or afflictions of the body. However, their external manifestations are affected by the body. People can have slurred speech. They may be unable to understand certain things because the body’s senses are weak. (Q 75 Art. 3)
Man’s soul is what makes him have life and distinguishes them from other objects or matters that are not living. It is the soul the gives the body life. It is what drives the body to move. (Q. 75 Art. 1) A man’s mind, i.e. the soul, operates separate from the body. It is independent of the body and it is immortal. It is incorporeal. It does not have a material form. He is defining soul here as separate from the senses and the body. The soul in both the sensitive and spiritual sense gives the body life. The soul is the force moving the body. (Q. 75 Art. 2). As all things have a moving force, the soul would have a more superior force—prime mover—moving it.
Man’s has a body so he also has senses like those of animal. His senses are not his soul however. His senses are part of his material form, his body. They are bodily functions like those of animals. He also has intellect which is incorporeal which make him distinct and superior to animals. (Q 75 Art. 3)
Animals on the other hand possess only an “appetitive” or sensitive soul. It is the force moving animals. It is not the same as the soul being referred to man. It is corporeal, an aspect of the body. It is affected by and dependent on the body. Then, it dies when the body dies. So, brute animals do not have a soul in the sense of a man’s soul. (Q. 75 Art 3) Perhaps, the soul of animals should be called a different name. This was a problem that arose in ancient times when there was no clear definition of what a soul is.
I agree with St. Thomas Aquinas that brute animals do not have souls like man. Nonetheless, they still have souls. They have intellect that leads them to certain responses. That is why seem to have feelings. They—especially dogs—seem to express extreme loyalty to their masters. Few people seem to show such loyalty to anyone, not even to their parents. Yet, at the same, animals including dogs do not seem to show the same loyalty or longing for their children. They nurture their children until they are weaned from their care. They do not even seem to recognize children when their children grow up. This is so unlike humans. Mothers always care for their children, even when the children have grown old. Humans, mothers in particular, demonstrate a natural instinct for this. Pets also show this protective sense. This does not seem to last long however. As Aquinas stressed, man is superior to animals. I think this is because man has moral judgment. They can tell right from wrong. Brute animals may not have that kind of judgment.
Even if it does not have a soul like mine, it would still go to heaven to be with me. However, it would not be in the same sense as I would be in heaven. His soul after all is different from mine. However, since God is present in everything he created, then pets should also go to heaven. They should enjoy the presence of their creator.
Regardless of whether they have souls or they will go to heaven or not, I believe pets exist for a reason. They teach us how to care and love. If they are lesser beings than us, then we should do better. Pets also somehow show us that there is heaven. They always seem to be in happy state and never forget to love. It is an important insight that one day we will forever be in a happy state when we get to heaven. I will have no need for my pet anymore as I will have the pleasure of enjoying everyone’s love as I have enjoyed that of my pet.
Works Cited
Aquinas, Thomas. "Question 75." 1920. Summa Theologica. New Convent. Web. 13 Nov 2014. <http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1075.htm#article3>.
—. Summa Theologica—Enhanced Version. Trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province. Benziger Bros.1947. Perrysburg: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, n.d. Kindle.
McInerny, Ralph and John O'Callaghan. "Saint Thomas Aquinas." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Edward N. Zalta. Summer 2014. Stanford: The Metaphysics Research Lab, 2014. Web. 11 Nov 2014. <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2014/entries/aquinas/>.
