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Single Idea 11207

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 5. Direction of causation ]

Full Idea

When things are so related that one causes the other to exist, the cause can exist without what it causes but not vice versa.

Gist of Idea

A cause can exist without its effect, but the effect cannot exist without its cause

Source

Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.103)

Book Ref

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.103

A Reaction

This is open to question, if causes are supposed to be sufficient for effects. Presumably Aquinas would support the view that if the cause had not been, the effect would not have happened. But the current idea indicates the priority relation.

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]