The great ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle writes (Metaphysics, XII, 7):
“That a final cause may exist among unchangeable entities is shown
by the distinction of its meanings. For the final cause is (a) some
being for whose good an action is done, and (b) something at which
the action aims; and of these the latter exists among unchangeable
entities though the former does not. The final cause, then, produces
motion as being loved, but all other things move by being moved.”
It turns out, actually, that love does make the world go round—at least according to the Philosopher. In fact, in order to solve the world’s growing energy problem, it appears that we can power all things, eternally, by sheer love.
Let me explain further… you be the judge. Aristotle explains that the Unmoved Mover, what Thomas Aquinas will later associate with God himself, is good, perfect, entirely act (without potency) and unchangeable. The celestial sphere that is closest (outermost) to the Unmoved Mover—the Primum Mobile—perceives its goodness, beholds it as beautiful, and begins to spin. For Aristotle, the spheres were in some way intellectual, that is, they could conceive of ideas and desire things. So, desiring to imitate the perfection of the Unmoved Mover, the Primum Mobile goes “gaga” (to borrow a phrase from an Aquinas Institute professor) and begins to spin interminably. Why does it spin? Because when it comes to motion, the circle is the closest one can get to continual, perfect motion: it can go on infinitely, and by rotating, one stays in the same place. It is the closest that that which is changeable can get to being unchangeable—perfect.
To the point: if we could simply employ the Primum Mobile as the motor for a turbine, the world would be forever powered by love. The more puppy dogs, babies and dandelions in the world, the more power we would have. On the other hand, the more talk-show hosts, telemarketers and unfaithful spouses we have: the less power. Brownouts? Check your moral meter.
Props to Fr. Dominic Holtz, O.P. of The Specious Pedestrian, for helping out with this one.
