more from Thomas Aquinas

Single Idea 11206

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 3. Predicates]

Full Idea

Attribution is something mind brings to completion by constructing propositional connections and disconnections, basing itself on real-world unity possessed by the things being attributed to one another.

Gist of Idea

The mind constructs complete attributions, based on the unified elements of the real world

Source

Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.102)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.102


A Reaction

This compromise story seems to me to be exactly right. I take it that we respond to the real joints of nature, but using thought and language which is riddled with convention.