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State of the question. It seems that Christ learned something from
man, for the Evangelist says that Jesus was in the Temple asking the
doctors questions.[1255] But if He gradually acquired knowledge
through the senses by the process of abstraction from phantasms, why
not from men?
Nevertheless, St. Thomas denies that Christ learned anything from
man. The reason is that, just as the first mover is not moved, the
supreme teacher is not taught, but teaches. But Christ, even on
this earth, was the supreme teacher of all men and even of angels.
Therefore "'it did not befit His dignity that He should be taught
by any man."[1256]
Reply to first objection. As Origen says: "Our Lord asked
questions not in order to learn anything, but in order to teach by
questioning."[1257] Thus Socrates made use of
maieutics,[1258] and thus he illumined and was not illumined.
Reply to second objection. To acquire knowledge from things by
abstraction, is to be taught by God, the author of things, and it is
more dignified to be taught by God than by man.
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