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    Carmelics

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
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    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that If essences are not mind-independent universals but rather abstractions from particulars, as nominalists like Ockham contend, then the essence-existence distinction dissolves for creatures and cannot anchor the contrast with divine simplicity.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Nominalists can ground essence-existence distinction in real causal dependence between particular essences and their exemplifications.
      ?

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    • 2.Abstractness need not be mind-dependent; essences could be abstractions from particulars yet still constitute real metaphysical distinctions.
      ?

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    • 3.Divine simplicity could contrast with creatures even if both lack transcendent universals—God's being could still differ in composition fundamentally.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Nominalism denies abstract universals exist independently, making essences dependent on minds or particulars rather than transcendent.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If essences are mind-dependent abstractions, creatures cannot possess a constitutive essence-existence split that God lacks.
      ?

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    • 3.Without this metaphysical distinction in creatures, the purported contrast with divine simplicity loses its foundational support.
      ?

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