Single Idea 9095

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 5. Generalisation by mind]

Full Idea

There are even things we can abstract from thought matter in general, things like being and oneness and potentiality and realization.

Clarification

'Thought matter' is substance, as opposed to 'perceived matter'

Gist of Idea

Very general ideas (being, oneness, potentiality) can be abstracted from thought matter in general

Source

Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], Ch.5 Q85.1)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Summa Theologicae (Concise)', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [Christian Classics 1991], p.134


A Reaction

The Aristotelian 'potentiality' means possibility, which means that modality is understood by abstraction. Aquinas seems to have four levels: particular perceived, general perceived, particular thought, and general thought. This is the highest level.