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Single Idea 16588
[filed under theme 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 2. Types of Existence
]
Full Idea
I sooner judged that what lacks all form does not exist, than thought of as something in between form and nothing, neither formed nor nothing, unformed and next to nothing.
Gist of Idea
I prefer a lack of form to mean non-existence, than to think of some quasi-existence
Source
Augustine (Confessions [c.398], XII.6), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 03.1
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.38
A Reaction
Scholastics were struck by the contrast between this remark, and the remark of Averroes (Idea 16587) that prime matter was halfway existence. Their two great authorities disagreed! This sort of thing stimulated the revival of metaphysics.
Related Idea
Idea 16587
Prime matter is halfway between non-existence and existence [Averroes]
The
33 ideas
from Augustine
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16702
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All things are in the present time to God
[Augustine]
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3912
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I must exist in order to be mistaken, so that even if I am mistaken, I can't be wrong about my own existence
[Augustine]
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6683
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The contact of spirit and body is utterly amazing, and incomprehensible
[Augustine]
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22887
|
If God existed before creation, why would a perfect being desire to change things?
[Augustine, by Bardon]
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22888
|
To be aware of time it can only exist in the mind, as memory or anticipation
[Augustine, by Bardon]
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22976
|
Memories are preserved separately, according to category
[Augustine]
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22978
|
Memory is so vast that I cannot recognise it as part of my mind
[Augustine]
|
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22977
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I can distinguish different smells even when I am not experiencing them
[Augustine]
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22979
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Three main questions seem to be whether a thing is, what it is, and what sort it is
[Augustine]
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22980
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Memory contains innumerable principles of maths, as well as past sense experiences
[Augustine]
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22983
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We would avoid remembering sorrow or fear if that triggered the emotions afresh
[Augustine]
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22982
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Why does joy in my mind make me happy, but joy in my memory doesn't?
[Augustine]
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22981
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Mind and memory are the same, as shown in 'bear it in mind' or 'it slipped from mind'
[Augustine]
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22984
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Without memory I could not even speak of myself
[Augustine]
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22985
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Everyone wants happiness
[Augustine]
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5976
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If God is outside time in eternity, can He hear prayers?
[Augustine]
|
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5977
|
Heaven and earth must be created, because they are subject to change
[Augustine]
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5979
|
If the past is no longer, and the future is not yet, how can they exist?
[Augustine]
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|
5978
|
I know what time is, until someone asks me to explain it
[Augustine]
|
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5981
|
The whole of the current year is not present, so how can it exist?
[Augustine]
|
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5980
|
How can ten days ahead be a short time, if it doesn't exist?
[Augustine]
|
|
5982
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If the future does not exist, how can prophets see it?
[Augustine]
|
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5983
|
I disagree with the idea that time is nothing but cosmic movement
[Augustine]
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5984
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Maybe time is an extension of the mind
[Augustine]
|
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16588
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I prefer a lack of form to mean non-existence, than to think of some quasi-existence
[Augustine]
|
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4348
|
Love, and do what you will
[Augustine]
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22117
|
Our minds grasp reality by direct illumination (rather than abstraction from experience)
[Augustine, by Matthews]
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22167
|
Our images of bodies are not produced by the bodies, but by our own minds
[Augustine, by Aquinas]
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22118
|
Augustine created the modern concept of the will
[Augustine, by Matthews]
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7821
|
Pagans produced three hundred definitions of the highest good
[Augustine, by Grayling]
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22119
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Augustine said (unusually) that 'ought' does not imply 'can'
[Augustine, by Matthews]
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22116
|
Augustine identified Donatism, Pelagianism and Manicheism as the main heresies
[Augustine, by Matthews]
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19338
|
Augustine said evil does not really exist, and evil is a limitation in goodness
[Augustine, by Perkins]
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