Q. 115 and the modern sciences

Summa theologiae I q 115 gives the basis for a thomistic interaction and contribution to the modern sciences.

First article: a proof that so far as we get to things in a quantitative way, we can get to causes, but not to universal causes. This is one limitation of the hypothetical-deductive method (and physics in general), which follows things in the line of formal causality through measurements. Most importantly, by establishing the causal powers of bodies as such, it gives the reason why physics and chemistry are autonomous sciences (which search for causes, etc.)

Second Article: provides the basis for a theory of evolution, though not one limited to biology, as natural selection is, but to anything that comes forth, as evolutionists constantly try to posit but cannot find a principle for.

Third and Fourth articles: ‘celestial bodies’ are clearly only what is at the basis of physical motion. All we care about in the celestial bodies is that they cannot stop moving themselves and being a source of motion. If we replace the celestial bodies with ‘matter’ or ‘energy’ or ‘electrons’ the argument stays the same.