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    Duns Scotus argued that formal distinctions obtain within... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→The First's essence is identical with that by which the First causes the existence of other things

    Duns Scotus argued that formal distinctions obtain within a simple being, meaning causal and essential attributes can be formally distinct without introducing composition.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.God's simplicity requires distinguishing attributes (justice, mercy) without real composition; formal distinction enables this coherently.
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    • 2.Our concepts carve reality at joints without those joints requiring physical separation; formal distinctions respect conceptual divisions in simple beings.
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    • 3.Causal powers in simple substances differ formally (gravity vs. electromagnetism in fundamental particles) yet remain genuinely unified entities.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.If formal distinctions obtain in reality, they must ground actual differences; but denying real composition leaves unclear what grounds the distinction.
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    • 2.The notion of 'formal distinction' appears to equivocate between conceptual distinctions and ontological ones, obscuring rather than resolving the problem.
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    • 3.If attributes are truly distinct formally, causation between them becomes unintelligible; simple identity avoids this problem more parsimoniously.
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    Proof of definition segments1 linkedDivine Attributes1 linked

    Related

    Causal powers in simple substances differ formally (gravity vs. electromagnetism...God's simplicity requires distinguishing attributes (justice, mercy) without rea...If attributes are truly distinct formally, causation between them becomes uninte...If formal distinctions obtain in reality, they must ground actual differences; b...
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    Our concepts carve reality at joints without those joints requiring physical sep...The First's essence is identical with that by which the First causes the existen...The notion of 'formal distinction' appears to equivocate between conceptual dist...

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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