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Single Idea 11205

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / d. Forms critiques ]

Full Idea

If (in the Platonic view) manyness was contained in humanness it could never be one as it is in Socrates, and if oneness was part of its definition then Socrates would be Plato and the nature couldn't be realised more than once.

Gist of Idea

If the form of 'human' contains 'many', Socrates isn't human; if it contains 'one', Socrates is Plato

Source

Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.100)

Book Ref

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.100

A Reaction

I suppose the reply is that since we are trying to explain one-over-many, then this unusual combination of both manyness and oneness is precisely what distinguishes forms from other ideas.

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]