The Distinction Between Angel and Human (Man) and Angel

The Ethereal and the Earthly: Unpacking the Angelic-Human Divide

From the grand narratives of ancient myths to the intricate scholastic treatises of the Middle Ages, the concept of beings superior to humanity has captivated the philosophical and theological imagination. This article delves into the profound distinction between Angel and Man, exploring their fundamental natures, modes of existence, and their respective places within the grand cosmic order as articulated by classical thought, particularly within the framework of Theology and metaphysics found in the Great Books of the Western World. We will establish clear definitions for each, highlighting how these differences illuminate not only their individual essences but also humanity's unique dignity and role.

The Pure Spirit: Defining the Angel

In the vast tapestry of creation, the Angel stands as a being of pure intellect and will, utterly incorporeal and unburdened by the constraints of matter. Classical Theology, particularly as elaborated by figures like Thomas Aquinas, defines angels as subsistent forms or intellectual substances – spirits created directly by God.

Nature and Composition: Unlike humans, angels possess no body. They are spirits entirely, existing without extension in space or division into parts. Their being is simple and unified.
Knowledge and Intellection: Angelic knowledge is immediate and intuitive, not discursive or acquired through senses like ours. Upon their creation, they are endowed with a comprehensive understanding of truths relevant to their nature and divine purpose. They grasp concepts directly, without the need for abstraction from sensory experience or logical deduction.
Will and Choice: Angels possess free will, but their choices, particularly their foundational choice for or against God at the moment of their creation, are understood to be immutable. Having perfect intellect and complete knowledge, their initial decision is fully informed and therefore unchangeable.
Purpose and Function: Primarily, angels exist to contemplate God, to serve as divine messengers (the very root of the word "angel" – angelos – means messenger), and to participate in the governance of the cosmos. They represent a higher rung on the ladder of spiritual existence, closer to the divine.

The Embodied Intellect: Defining Man

In stark contrast to the angelic nature, Man is defined by a unique and perplexing duality: the union of spirit and matter, soul and body. This composite nature is central to the human definition and sets us apart within the hierarchy of being.

Nature and Composition: Humanity is a rational animal, a composite of an immortal, spiritual soul and a mortal, material body. The soul is the form of the body, giving it life and enabling its functions, including sensation and intellect. This intrinsic union means that human experience is always mediated through the body.
Knowledge and Intellection: Human knowledge is primarily acquired through the senses. We interact with the material world, abstracting universal concepts from particular sensory experiences. Our intellect is discursive, meaning it moves from premises to conclusions, requiring time, effort, and often error to attain understanding.
Will and Choice: While possessing free will, the human will is mutable and subject to change, temptation, and the influence of passions stemming from our bodily nature. Our choices are often made with incomplete knowledge and amidst internal struggles.
Purpose and Function: Humanity's purpose, while sharing the goal of knowing and loving God, is uniquely tied to our embodied existence. We are called to be stewards of creation, to cultivate virtue through our actions in the material world, and to achieve beatitude through a journey of faith, reason, and moral development.

(Image: A detailed depiction of Raphael's Disputation of the Holy Sacrament, showcasing the clear division between the celestial realm above, populated by angels, saints, and divine figures in ethereal glory, and the earthly realm below, where human theologians and philosophers engage in earnest discussion around the altar, their bodies and books firmly rooted in the material world.)

Key Distinctions: A Comparative View

The differences between angels and humans are not merely superficial but fundamental, touching upon every aspect of their being and operation. The following table encapsulates some of these critical distinctions:

Feature	Angel	Man
Nature	Pure Spirit, Incorporeal	Composite: Soul (Spirit) and Body (Matter)
Mode of Existence	Simple, Immaterial	Complex, Embodied
Knowledge Acquisition	Intuitive, Infused at Creation	Discursive, Acquired through Senses and Reason
Will and Choice	Immutable after initial fundamental choice	Mutable, subject to change and growth
Relation to Matter	No intrinsic relation; can assume forms	Intrinsic union; dependent on matter for earthly existence
Locomotion/Action	Immediate, unconstrained by space/time	Mediated by body, constrained by space/time
Hierarchy of Being	Higher in the natural order of intellect	Lower than angels in natural intellect, but unique in composite nature

These distinctions highlight a profound philosophical insight: the universe is not homogenous but a richly ordered hierarchy. Angels represent the pinnacle of pure spiritual existence, while humans, with their composite nature, bridge the gap between the material and the spiritual, embodying a microcosm of the entire created order.

Theological Implications and Philosophical Echoes

The classical understanding of these distinctions has profound implications for Theology and our understanding of existence itself. The angels, being pure intellects, offer a glimpse into a mode of knowing and being that transcends our own, hinting at the divine intellect that is the source of all truth.

For humanity, our composite nature, while placing us lower than angels in the natural hierarchy of pure intellect, grants us a unique dignity. We are created imago Dei – in the image of God – not merely through our intellect and will, but also through our capacity for love, suffering, redemption, and a journey of moral and spiritual development that angels do not undergo in the same way. Our struggle with matter, our acquisition of knowledge through effort, and our mutable will all contribute to a narrative of growth and transformation that is distinctly human.

This elaborate system of classification, deeply rooted in the Great Books of the Western World, from Plato's forms to Aristotle's metaphysics, and culminating in scholastic syntheses, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the diverse forms of existence and our place within that grand design. The careful definition of Angel and Man is not merely an academic exercise; it is a foundational step in comprehending the nature of reality, the divine plan, and humanity's unique vocation.

Further Exploration

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: ""Thomas Aquinas Angels vs Humans" for discussions on scholastic philosophy regarding created intelligences."