Further, given the Fregean understanding of existence (“Xs exist” = “Something is X”) that he endorses, Kenny argues that the real distinction argument makes unintelligible Aquinas’s depiction of God as ipsum esse subsistens. ![]() ![]() It fails to establish esse and essence as two distinct metaphysical co-principles. Kenny argues that at best Aquinas’s argument for the real distinction establishes the following: I can understand a concept without knowing whether or not the concept is instantiated. I begin by examining Anthony Kenny’s critique of the real distinction as found in Aquinas on Being. I also argue that the intellectus essentiae argument is sufficient for establishing the real distinction in material substances the second and third stages of the chapter four passage are required to establish the real distinction in all substances (including immaterial substances) and to prove the existence of the first cause of the esse found in creatures. In this paper, I argue that Aquinas does establish a real distinction between esse and essence. Finally, there are those who claim that only after Thomas proves the actual existence of a being whose essence is esse can we accept the real distinction. Others claim that the following passage, where Aquinas argues that there can only be one possible being whose esse and essence are identical, is needed in addition to the intellectus essentiae argument. Some argue that the intellectus essentiae argument, where Aquinas states that an essence can be fully understood apart from existence, is enough to establish the real distinction. Among those who think that Aquinas’s argument is successful, there is disagreement as to exactly where in the chapter four passage the real distinction is established. Scholars disagree as to whether or not he establishes the real distinction. Aquinas’s argument for the real distinction has been subjected to much scrutiny and criticism. In both immaterial and material substances, he thinks, we find a real distinction and composition of esse and essence only in God are these principles identical.Īquinas’s notion of the real distinction is one of his most important metaphysical doctrines, because it allows him to prove the existence of God and to state precisely the manner in which God differs from all other beings. Berman – Jeffrey L.In chapter four of On Being and Essence, Thomas Aquinas argues that immaterial substances, despite being free from matter, are not pure acts because their essence is in potency to the act of existence, and it is here that he introduces his account of the real distinction between esse (existence) and essence. Inconsistency in the Torah: Ancient Literary Convention and the Limits of Source Criticism by Joshua A. Remain in Me: Holy Orders, Prayer, and Ministry by James Keating – David Vincent Meconi, S.J. Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasure of an Intellectual Life by Zena Hitz – Joshua H. Liturgical Mysticism by David Fagerberg – James Keating Seeing God: The Beatific Vision in Christian Tradition by Hans Boersma – Elizabeth A. Principles of Sacred Liturgy: Forming a Sacramental Vision by Christopher Carstens – Michael Brummond Warnez, B.H.īound for Beatitude: A Thomistic Study in Eschatology and Ethics by Reinhard Hütter – Gideon Barr Secunda Operatio Respicit Ipsum Esse Rei: An Evaluation of Jacques Maritain, Étienne Gilson, and Ralph McInerny on the Relation of Esse to the Intellect’s Two Operations – Elliot Polskyĭe Natura: The Church Fathers on Creation’s Fallenness – Matthew T. The Dimensions of the Kingdom of Heaven in Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Commentary on Matthew – Matthew L. HowellĪ Voice Like the Sound of Many Waters: Inspiration, Authorial Intention, and Theological Exegesis – Nicholas E. The Eucharist and the Life of Christ in the Preaching of John Chrysostom – Kenneth J. Nature as Analogous: A Response to the Doak-Strand/Conedera Symposium on Benedict XVI and the Natural Law – Stephen M. ![]() Baxterįrom the Action of Creatures to the Existence of God: The First Way, Science, and the Philosophy of Nature – Michael J. Rewriting Souls: Lectio and Imitatio in Dante’s Purgatorio – Jason M. ![]() The Crisis of Faith and the Crisis of the Church – Ralph Weimann Penance as Sacrament of the Sacrifice of the Cross – Frederick L.
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