Single Idea 23175

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty]

Full Idea

Since the speculative reason is concerned chiefly with necessary things, which cannot be otherwise than they are, its proper conclusions, like the universal principles, contain the truth without fail.

Gist of Idea

The conclusions of speculative reason about necessities are certain

Source

Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], I-II Q94 4)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'On Law, Morality and Politics', ed/tr. Baumgarth,W. /Regan R. [Hackett 1988], p.51


A Reaction

This seems over-confident, and to confuse the facts with our knowledge of the facts. Simple arithmetic may seem certain, but long and intricate proofs are always a little uncertain.