Thomas Aquinas: 'Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.'

Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.

Faith, according to the renowned philosopher Thomas Aquinas, deals with things that are not seen, while hope concerns things that are not at hand. This quote holds significant meaning as it highlights the elements of belief and anticipation that play crucial roles in our lives. Faith is often associated with religious beliefs, trusting in concepts beyond our immediate perception. On the other hand, hope refers to our desires for the future, the yearning for goals and dreams that are yet to be realized. These two concepts intertwine, as faith often fuels hope, providing the foundation for our aspirations, and instilling in us the confidence to pursue what lies beyond our current reach.Delving deeper into Aquinas' quote, we can explore additional philosophical concepts that inherently align with faith and hope—namely, the nature of reality and the power of human imagination. As humans, we have an innate ability to expand our understanding beyond the mere physical realm. Our minds can conceive of ideas, beliefs, and hopes that go beyond what is immediately evident or concrete. This imaginative element of our existence leads us to explore spiritual, metaphysical, and transcendental phenomena.Aquinas' assertion about faith focusing on the unseen suggests that our capacity to believe in something beyond the tangible is essential for personal growth and development. It invites us to ponder the mysteries of life and encourages us to have faith in the unknown. This trust in the unseen can be interpreted not only within religious contexts but also in more secular terms. We often find ourselves placing faith in intangible concepts such as love, justice, or the inherent goodness of humanity, despite not always witnessing tangible evidence of these ideals.Hope, as Aquinas explains, pertains to things that are not yet within our grasp. It is by embracing hope that we propel ourselves forward, motivated by the anticipation of reaching our desired outcomes. By applying this concept to everyday life, we can understand the crucial role hope plays in individuals, societies, and even civilizations. Hope is a powerful force that inspires us to dream, to strive, and to work towards a better future. It fosters resilience in times of adversity, providing a glimmer of light that allows us to persevere, even when faced with challenges and uncertainties.When faith and hope are juxtaposed, we can discern their similarities and differences. While faith primarily deals with unseen or intangible matters, hope speaks to our ambitions and aspirations that have yet to manifest in reality. Faith can be seen as rooted in trust and belief, often associated with spiritual or religious realms, while hope is grounded in the expectations and desires we hold for our personal lives and the world at large.Moreover, faith and hope embrace the power of our imagination. Imagination is the threshold upon which our minds transcend the boundaries of the visible, allowing us to grasp abstract ideas and envision a future that is yet to materialize. Our capacity to imagine cultivates these intangible elements of faith and hope, nurturing our beliefs in the invisible and fostering the anticipation of what lies ahead.In conclusion, Thomas Aquinas' astute observation regarding faith dealing with the unseen and hope with things not at hand invites us to reflect upon the complex nature of our existence. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of trust, belief, and anticipation in shaping our lives and driving us towards progress. By looking beyond the physical, we are able to embrace the power of our imagination and seek fulfillment in the realms of faith and hope. It is through these transcendent concepts that we discover the potential for personal growth, the resilience to persist through hardships, and the motivation to create a future that surpasses our current realities.