How can possibilists account for actuality as an absolute feature of some possible entities and not others? As we saw, we cannot treat actual existence as another accident or accident-like entity, since such entities would have to be included in all possible worlds, whether actual or not. Instead, the factor that explains something’s actuality willContinue reading “Five Theories of Predication”
Author Archives: robkoons
Two Problems with Actualism
Given the problems with Possibilism, it might seem that we should abandon possibilism and embrace actualism. Actualism certainly captures the right kind of inequality. Actual things are real, and there simply are no non-actual things. Absolutely everything is actual! At the same time, there could have been things that do not exist. Perhaps there couldContinue reading “Two Problems with Actualism”
Divine Simplicity: Possibilism
In article 4 of Summa Theologiae I, Question 3, Thomas reaches the crux of the matter: his claim that God’s essence is identical to His act of existence. This article provides Thomas with the crucial bridge from the Five Ways to the standard list of divine attributes (infinity, perfection, and so on), as well asContinue reading “Divine Simplicity: Possibilism”
God’s Identity with His Essence
Thomas explicitly asserts that God is numerically identical to His essence. God does not have divinity as His nature: He is His own divinity. As we have seen, God is not an abstract object, a post rem property, or a universal. So, what could it mean to say that God is identical to His essenceContinue reading “God’s Identity with His Essence”
God without Matter or Accidents
Aquinas on Divine Simplicity
In the Question immediately following the Five Ways (Question 3), Thomas turns to establishing the simplicity of the First Cause. This simplicity consists of eight characteristics, corresponding to the eight articles of Question 3: Of these eight, it is characteristics 3 and 4 that are most central to Thomas’s natural theology, and most controversial. GodContinue reading “Aquinas on Divine Simplicity”
Anomalies and Imperfectly Unified Substances, II
In this post, I will deal with three additional anomalies, possible exceptions to the NSIS principle (No Substance in a Substance): (i) manufacturing organisms from scratch, (ii) borderline cases between organisms and communities, and (iii) transitional forms in evolution. If Hylomorphism is true, it should be impossible to manufacture a living organism from inorganic materials,Continue reading “Anomalies and Imperfectly Unified Substances, II”
Advice to a Young Apologist
I received the following letter today by email: Dear Dr. Koons, My name is Anthony and I am 14 years old. I am a fan of yours and was wondering if I could receive your comment on some concerns that I have. Because I think you are a very good person with wisdom who can helpContinue reading “Advice to a Young Apologist”
Anomalies and Imperfectly Unified Substances, I
The form provides the organism with its actual existence and nature, and, in turn, the substantial form is individuated by the organism’s prime matter (together with its actual history). The form’s function is to animate and (we might say) rationalize matter, resulting in a sentient and rational organism (in the case of human beings). WhenContinue reading “Anomalies and Imperfectly Unified Substances, I”
Advantages of Hylomorphism over Modern Substance Dualism
What are the advantages of hylomorphism over modern substance dualism? At very low levels in the Chain of Being, like the souls of sponges or amoebas, the soul seems to be doing no explanatory work. The soul of an amoeba would seem to be epiphenomenal and causally inert. How would a soulless amoeba function differently?Continue reading “Advantages of Hylomorphism over Modern Substance Dualism”
The Analytic Thomist 