St. Thomas Aquinas on heredity

Abstract

The problem of heredity is amply dealt with in contemporary literature, and this may lead one to imagine that this question has arisen in comparatively modern times. On the contrary, however, St. Thomas Aquinas had already established the theory of heredity in the middle of the thirteenth century. Relying on common sense observations and guided by true philosophical principles, the Angelic Doctor came to the conclusions admitted by modern scientists. Although he did not live in a time when bacteriological, chemical, anatomical and other scientific experiments could be easily made, yet, his teaching is quite consistent with modern thought. It is an absolute fact that modern scientists have not formulated the theory of heredity, but have only scientifically confirmed what had been taught by the great Doctor.