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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. “ Considering essence and existence… and admiring both PLATO AND Aristotle”. Consider “essence,” as in: . The essence of a “successful marriage” is based on unconditional love, unflappable trust, excellent communication, and a sense of happiness in being with each other. .
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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS “Considering essence and existence… and admiring both PLATO AND Aristotle”
Consider “essence,” as in: The essence of a “successful marriage” is based on unconditional love, unflappable trust, excellent communication, and a sense of happiness in being with each other.
?What exactly is essence? • The IDEA of an attribute or set of attributes that make something what it is • For instance, we didn’t have a couple in a “successful marriage” in the classroom, but we have the IDEA of that couple.
Now, what is “existence?” • The physical FORM that the idea assumes and that we can sense. • For instance, we COULD have a couple in a “successful marriage” in the classroom. They could be seen, heard, and maybe even touched by us.
Now, based on this same example… May one assert that a “successful marriage” can exist?
Let’s process some more examples: What is the essence of a tiger? Does a tiger exist?
How about this one? What is the essence of a democracy? Does a democracy exist?
NOW, how about THIS? What is the essence of a unicorn? Does a unicorn exist?
According to St. Thomas Aquinas… A unicorn MAY not exist. This is because “essence precedes existence,” and if one has the IDEA of something; then, it means it should have the potential of being sensed.
St. Aquinas Syllogism MAJOR: What I think about can exist. MINOR: I can think about God. CONCLUSION: God can exist.
ESSENTIAL “CLOSING” IDEAS: • The world is created by God and will someday end. • The world was conceived in essence, before it existed. • God’s own essence could not have preceded his existence, so he must be pure existence. • And a video: • Now, please read pp 58-61, in your text and record a philology entry on St. Thomas Aquinas.