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Objection 1: It would seem that the aforesaid powers are not more
infected than the others. For the infection of original sin seems to
pertain more to that part of the soul which can be first the subject of
sin. Now this is the rational part, and chiefly the will. Therefore
that power is most infected by original sin.
Objection 2: Further, no power of the soul is infected by guilt,
except in so far as it can obey reason. Now the generative power
cannot obey reason, as stated in Ethic. i, 13. Therefore the
generative power is not the most infected by original sin.
Objection 3: Further, of all the senses the sight is the most
spiritual and the nearest to reason, in so far "as it shows us how a
number of things differ" (Metaph. i). But the infection of guilt
is first of all in the reason. Therefore the sight is more infected
than touch.
On the contrary, Augustine says (De Civ. Dei xiv, 16,
seqq., 24) that the infection of original sin is most apparent in
the movements of the members of generation, which are not subject to
reason. Now those members serve the generative power in the mingling
of sexes, wherein there is the delectation of touch, which is the most
powerful incentive to concupiscence. Therefore the infection of
original sin regards these three chiefly, viz. the generative power,
the concupiscible faculty and the sense of touch.
I answer that, Those corruptions especially are said to be
infectious, which are of such a nature as to be transmitted from one
subject to another: hence contagious diseases, such as leprosy and
murrain and the like, are said to be infectious. Now the corruption
of original sin is transmitted by the act of generation, as stated
above (Question 81, Article 1). Therefore the powers which
concur in this act, are chiefly said to be infected. Now this act
serves the generative power, in as much as it is directed to
generation; and it includes delectation of the touch, which is the
most powerful object of the concupiscible faculty. Consequently,
while all the parts of the soul are said to be corrupted by original
sin, these three are said specially to be corrupted and infected.
Reply to Objection 1: Original sin, in so far as it inclines to
actual sins, belongs chiefly to the will, as stated above (Article
3). But in so far as it is transmitted to the offspring, it belongs
to the aforesaid powers proximately, and to the will, remotely.
Reply to Objection 2: The infection of actual sin belongs only to
the powers which are moved by the will of the sinner. But the
infection of original sin is not derived from the will of the
contractor, but through his natural origin, which is effected by the
generative power. Hence it is this power that is infected by original
sin.
Reply to Objection 3: Sight is not related to the act of generation
except in respect of remote disposition, in so far as the concupiscible
species is seen through the sight. But the delectation is completed in
the touch. Wherefore the aforesaid infection is ascribed to the touch
rather than to the sight.
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