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Single Idea 1688

[catalogued under 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique]

Full Idea

Everything which a thing is must be proved through a demonstration - except its essence. But existence is not the essence of anything; for the things that exist do not constitute a kind.

Gist of Idea

Properties must be proved, but not essence; but existents are not a kind, so existence isn't part of essence

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 92b14)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.55