The Principle of the Maximum as a Hub of St. Thomas Aquinas’s Metaphysics

Abstract: In his treatment of theological themes, Saint Thomas does not usually provide an in-depth analysis of the metaphysical foundation that they require, rather, he refers back to this foundation by means of metaphysical principles that contain it in a condensed form. Among these, none other is more ubiquitous and relevant than the Aristotelian “principle of the maximum.” Heretofore its role within Aquinas’s corpus—especially in his theology—has not been tackled. In this contribution we demonstrate that the principle functions as a metaphysical hub within this corpus because it contains the four basic components of Thomas’s and Aristotle’s metaphysics of causality. These components enable us to recognize its presence despite its manifold formulation and varying contexts: within an analogous genus the first is the maximum and the cause of all the other members. These components also ensure that the principle of the maximum connects other principles to itself, thus revealing their own metaphysical teaching and enriching them through their association with itself and the other principles. The result is a versatile network capable of engaging all manner of topics and elucidating their metaphysical foundation. Within sacra doctrina , the principle of the maximum and its plexus of principles allows Thomas constantly to base his theological discourse on actuality and guarantees its interconnectedness.