more from Thomas Aquinas

Single Idea 11202

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 1. Essences of Objects]

Full Idea

It is by having essence that things exist.

Gist of Idea

It is by having essence that things exist

Source

Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.94)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.94


A Reaction

Compare Idea 11199, which gives a fuller picture. This idea seems to suggest essence as the cause of existence, which sounds wrong. Perhaps essence is a necessary condition of existence, but it is necessary that nothing indeterminate can exist?

Related Idea

Idea 11199 Aristotelian essence underlies behaviour, or underlies definition, or is the source of existence [Aristotle, by Aquinas]