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Single Idea 11200

[filed under theme 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 4. Essence as Definition ]

Full Idea

Form alone cannot be a composite substance's essence. For a thing's essence is expressed by its definition, and unless the definition of a physical substance included both form and material, the definition wouldn't differ from mathematical objects.

Gist of Idea

The definition of a physical object must include the material as well as the form

Source

Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.93)

Book Ref

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.93

A Reaction

This is the sort of thoroughly sensible remark that you only get from the greatest philosophers. Minor philosophers fall in love with things like forms, and then try to use them to explain everything.

The 14 ideas from 'De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence)'

13090 The principle of diversity for corporeal substances is their matter [Aquinas, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
13070 If definitions must be general, and general terms can't individuate, then Socrates can't be defined [Aquinas, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
11205 If the form of 'human' contains 'many', Socrates isn't human; if it contains 'one', Socrates is Plato [Aquinas]
11206 The mind constructs complete attributions, based on the unified elements of the real world [Aquinas]
11207 A cause can exist without its effect, but the effect cannot exist without its cause [Aquinas]
11208 A simple substance is its own essence [Aquinas]
11196 Essence is something in common between the natures which sort things into categories [Aquinas]
11197 The definitions expressing identity are used to sort things [Aquinas]
11195 If affirmative propositions express being, we affirm about what is absent [Aquinas]
11198 Definition of essence makes things understandable [Aquinas]
11201 Properties have an incomplete essence, with definitions referring to their subject [Aquinas]
11200 The definition of a physical object must include the material as well as the form [Aquinas]
11202 It is by having essence that things exist [Aquinas]
11203 Specific individual essence is defined by material, and generic essence is defined by form [Aquinas]