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Single Idea 13090

[from 'De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence)' by Thomas Aquinas, in 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / a. Individuation ]

Full Idea

In the view of Aquinas, while substantial form is the ultimate ground of identity and difference of angels, it is matter that provides a principle of diversity in the case of corporeal substances.

Gist of Idea

The principle of diversity for corporeal substances is their matter

Source

report of Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267]) by Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J - Substance and Individuation in Leibniz 5.2.3

Book Reference

Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J: 'Substance and Individuation in Leibniz' [CUP 1999], p.196


A Reaction

This is at least as good a proposal as their apatial location. There is more chance of reidentifying matter than of precisely reidentifying a spatial location. Two indistinguishable spheres remain the classic problem case (of Max Black, Idea 10195)

Related Idea

Idea 10195 If the universe just held two indiscernibles spheres, that refutes the Identity of Indiscernibles [Black]