Reply Obj. 2:  Although the soul is not transmitted, because the power in the semen is not able to cause the rational soul, nevertheless the motion of the semen is a disposition to the transmission of the rational soul:  so that the semen by its own power transmits the human nature from parent to child, and with that nature, the stain which infects it:  for he that is born is associated with his first parent in his guilt, through the fact that he inherits his nature from him by a kind of movement which is that of generation.

Reply Obj. 3:  Although the guilt is not actually in the semen, yet human nature is there virtually accompanied by that guilt.

Reply Obj. 4:  The semen is the principle of generation, which is an act proper to nature, by helping it to propagate itself.  Hence the soul is more infected by the semen, than by the flesh which is already perfect, and already affixed to a certain person.

Reply Obj. 5:  A man is not blamed for that which he has from his origin, if we consider the man born, in himself.  But it we consider him as referred to a principle, then he may be reproached for it:  thus a man may from his birth be under a family disgrace, on account of a crime committed by one of his forbears. ________________________

SECOND ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 81, Art. 2]

Whether Also Other Sins of the First Parent or of Nearer Ancestors
Are Transmitted to Their Descendants?

Objection 1:  It would seem that also other sins, whether of the first parent or of nearer ancestors, are transmitted to their descendants.  For punishment is never due unless for fault.  Now some are punished by the judgment of God for the sin of their immediate parents, according to Ex. 20:5:  “I am . . .  God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation.”  Furthermore, according to human law, the children of those who are guilty of high treason are disinherited.  Therefore the guilt of nearer ancestors is also transmitted to their descendants.

Obj. 2:  Further, a man can better transmit to another, that which he has of himself, than that which he has received from another:  thus fire heats better than hot water does.  Now a man transmits to his children, by the way, of origin, the sin which he has from Adam.  Much more therefore should he transmit the sin which he has contracted of himself.

Obj. 3:  Further, the reason why we contract original sin from our first parent is because we were in him as in the principle of our nature, which he corrupted.  But we were likewise in our nearer ancestors, as in principles of our nature, which however it be corrupt, can be corrupted yet more by sin, according to Apoc. 22:11:  “He that is filthy, let him be filthier still.”  Therefore children contract, by the way of origin, the sins of their nearer ancestors, even as they contract the sin of their first parent.

On the contrary, Good is more self-diffusive than evil.  But the merits of the nearer ancestors are not transmitted to their descendants.  Much less therefore are their sins.