Aquinas argues in De Ente et Essentia that quantitative extension follows from matter as a principle of individuation, making it a consequent property rather than a constitutive differentia.
?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
No one has weighed in yet. Be the first to share reasons for or against this statement.
Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.
A Latin title meaning 'On Being and Essence'—it's one of Aquinas's most famous short works where he explores what it means for something to exist and what makes it what it is.
Matter (as a principle)(what Aquinas claims causes quantitative extension)
In philosophy, 'matter' means the physical stuff that makes things up; as a 'principle' here, it means the foundation or source that causes something to happen.
Quantitative extension(the property being discussed)
The property of taking up physical space—basically, how much room something occupies in three dimensions.
principle of individuation(Used to explain why an object cannot fall under more than one ultimate sortal without contradiction)
A criterion associated with a sortal kind that determines the conditions under which an object of that kind persists and remains the same object over time