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For Aquinas, knowledge begins with knowledge of the effects of a thing. When faced with those effects, we naturally have a "desire to know about the cause what it is. This desire is one of wonder and causes inquiry." The inquiry ceases when we arrive at knowledge of the essence of a cause, when that desire to answer quid est is satisfied (this from ST I-II, 3, 8). Hence, knowledge arouses puzzlement and desire, a kind of dissatisfaction, that provokes us to inquiry and a satisfaction of that desire. Even if Frederick Bauerschmidt is right that "wonder" here is only a puzzlement, it is clear that for Aquinas the knowing subject is a desiring subject.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 03:34 PM
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