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Single Idea 1858

[from 'Quaestiones Disputatae de Malo' by Thomas Aquinas, in 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason ]

Full Idea

Mind is compelled by necessary truths that can't be regarded as false, but not by contingent ones that might be false.

Clarification

'Necessary' truths must be true, 'contingent' truths only happen to be true

Gist of Idea

The mind is compelled by necessary truths, but not by contingent truths

Source

Thomas Aquinas (Quaestiones Disputatae de Malo [1271], Q6.h to 12)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.182