Single Idea 9109

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 6. Essence as Unifier]

Full Idea

If essence and existence were two things, then no contradiction would be involved if God preserved the essence of a thing in the world without its existence, or vice versa, its existence without its essence; both of which are impossible.

Gist of Idea

If essence and existence were two things, one could exist without the other, which is impossible

Source

William of Ockham (Summa totius logicae [1323], III,II,c,xxvii)

Book Reference

Ockham,William of: 'Ockham's Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Boehner,P [Hackett 1990], p.93


A Reaction

Not that William is using the concept of a supreme mind as a tool in argument. His denial of essence as something separable is presumably his denial of the Aristotelian view of universals, as well as of the Platonic view.