Single Idea 16667

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance]

Full Idea

In the view of Suárez, substances are radically incomplete entities that cannot exist at all until determined in various ways by things of another kind, modes. …Modes are regarded as completers for their subjects.

Gist of Idea

Substances are incomplete unless they have modes

Source

report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597]) by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 13.3

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.257


A Reaction

This is correct. In order to be a piece of clay it needs a shape, a mass, a colour etc. Treating clay as an object independently from its shape is a misunderstanding.

Related Ideas

Idea 16665 There are entities, and then positive 'modes', modifying aspects outside the thing's essence [Suárez]

Idea 16666 A mode determines the state and character of a quantity, without adding to it [Suárez]