Justifying the numerical order, according to priority, of my obsessions (see summary ^ )

No, I haven't been struggling with placing God first. That goes without saying - "For, clearly, among causes the final is the first." -Aristotle (and if that quote sounds self-contradictory to you I assure you it really isn't - it's one of those beloved paradoxes of Chestertonian fame; truth standing on it's head to get attention, if you will. I would summarize the four causes here but I don't want to bore everyone to tears.)

I haven't been struggling with placing my beloved second, either. Full well he (and pretty much everyone else of close accquaintance) knows how very much of a priority he takes in my life. Actions speak louder than words.

It's the third obsession I have been thinking about. Now, I'm in my third year of intensive Aristotelian/Thomistic training. I walk, talk, eat, breathe, and sleep Aristotetlian distinctions. My posts are sickeningly full of them (you poor individuals). How can I justify saying that Chesterton comes third and not Aristotle or St. Thomas? How?

Well, Chesterton is prior.

To ask the Aristotelian question: prior in what sense?

Well, first, he was prior in time - not literally, of course, but in the life of my mind, Chesterton was the common man with common sense that called me forth into philosophical inquiry.
Second, to jokingly take this distinction beyond it's more strict philosophical limits, Chesterton was prior to Aristotle insofar as he is more known to man . . . at least insofar as he was the common type of man and Aristotle was not . . . though ironically I might have to say that I personally find Chesterton's character as a human being to be both more known to man and more known by nature, which is a philosophical impossibility but it's a funny thing to say, anyway. ;)

Though, in comparing Chesterton to Thomas I cannot help but say that I think Chesterton would want to talk about St. Thomas as a common sort of man; a common brother in Christ who shared with him both proportion and sensibility. Likewise, I cannot help but think that St. Thomas is probably enjoying Chesterton's company in the beatific vision: two fat men with great sanctity and great genius - now there's some company I'd like to keep.

Nevertheless, Chesterton is first in my mind and my heart. I may be an extremely Aristotelian Thomist by the time they get done with me here, but first, and foremost, I will always be a simple and common Chestertonian.

And here's a poem for today, courtesy of Chesterton and his wisdom:

"By the Babe Unborn"
- G.K. Chesterton

If trees were tall and grasses short,
As in some crazy tale,
If here and there a sea were blue
Beyond the breaking pale,

If a fixed fire hung in the air
To warm me one day through,
If deep green hair grew on great hills,
I know what I should do.

In dark I lie; dreaming that there
Are great eyes cold or kind,
And twisted streets and silent doors,
And living men behind.

Let storm clouds come: better an hour,
And leave to weep and fight,
Than all the ages I have ruled
The empires of the night.

I think that if they gave me leave
Within the world to stand,
I would be good through all the day
I spent in fairyland.

They should not hear a word from me
Of selfishness or scorn,
If only I could find the door,
If only I were born.