List of Definitions of Philosophy
Habitus Intellectivi
1. Intellectus = habitus primorum principiorum
speculativorum.
2. Sapientia = cognitio rerum omnium per altissimas
causas.
3. Scientia = cognitio certa per causas.
4. Ars = recta ratio factibilium.
5. Prudentia = recta ratio agibilium.
6. Theologia = scientia de Deo ex Revelatione
procedens.
7. Philosophia = scientia rerum omnium per causas
altissimas, naturali ratione comparata.
8. Metaphysica = scientia entis inquantum entis.
9. Criteriologia = pars metaphisicae defensiva
principiorum cognitionis humanae.
10. Synderesis = habitus primorum principiorum
practicorum.
Actus Intellectivi
In generali:
11. Cognoscere = Habere intentionaliter in se formam
(sicut) alterius rei.
12. (seu.) = aliud fieri inquantum aliud.
13. Intelligere = cognoscere rerum essentias.
14. Scire = cognoscere causam propter quam res est,
quod huius causa est, et non potest aliter se
habere.
15. Sentire = cognoscere rerum materialium
qualitates patibiles.
16. Veritas = adequatio rei et intellectus.
17. Veritas logica = adequatio intellectus ad rem.
18. Veritas ontologica = adequatio rei ad intellectum.
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Intellective Habits
1. Understanding = the habit of the first speculative
principles.
2. Wisdom = knowledge of all things by the highest
causes.
3. Science = certain knowledge through causes.
4. Art = the right reason of things to be made.
5. Prudence = the right reason of things to be done
(operations).
6. Theology = science of God proceeding from
Revelation.
7. Philosophy = science of all things through the
highest causes, obtained by natural reason.
8. Metaphysics = science of being in so far as being.
9. Criteriology = part of metaphysics which defends
the principles of human knowledge.
10. Synderesis = habit of the first practical principles.
Intellective Actions
In general:
11. To have knowledge = to have intentionally in
oneself a form as the form of another.
12. (or) = to become another insofar as
other.
13. To understand = to know the essences of things.
14. To know = to grasp . . .
(a) the cause telling why the thing is,
(b) the fact that it is the cause of it, and
(c) that it cannot be otherwise (the thing cannot
have another cause). .
15. To sense = to know the passible qualities of
material things.
16. Truth = conformity of thing and intellect.
17. Logical truth = conformity of intellect to thing.
18. Ontological truth = conformity of thing to intellect.
19. Intentio prima = actus quo mens in ens reale
tendit.
20. Intentio secunda = actus quo mens in ens rationis
tendit.
21. Intentio formalis = ipse actus mentis tendentis in
aliquid.
22. Intentio objectiva = obiectum in quo mens tendit.
Prima Operatio Intellectus
23. Simplex apprehensio = operatio qua intellectus
aliquam quidditatem intelligit, quin quidquam
de ea affirmet.
24. Abstractio = operatio intellectus agentis qua ex
pluribus in re coniunctis unum sine altero
considerat.
25. Ens rationis = ens quod habet esse obiective in
intellectu tantum.
26. Negatio = ens rationis quo non ens ad modum
entis concipitur.
27. Conceptus = simplex intellectualis repraesentatio
quidditatis alicuius rei.
28. Notio = Propria ratio qua res menti innotescit.
29. Analogia = habitudo diversorum inter se vi cuius
eodem nomine designantur.
30. Analogia attributionis = habitudo unius vel
plurium ad aliquod unum vi cuius nomen
quod huic convenit in sensu proprio et stricto
de illo vel illis dicitur.
31. Analogia proportionalitatis = aequalitas duarum
proportionum inter se.
32. Notae conceptus = elementa vel aspectus
intelligibiles huius conceptus quos mens in eo
discernit et qui ad eum pertinent necessarie.
33. Terminus (oralis) = vox significativa ad placitum.
34. Universale = unum aptum inesse pluribus.
35. Universale in essendo = una natura in multis.
36. Universale in praedicando = una natura de multis.
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19. First intention = the act by which the mind tends to
a real being.
20. Second intention = the act by which the mind tends
to a being of reason.
21. Formal intention = the act itself of the mind
tending towards something.
22. Objective intention = the object towards which the
mind tends.
First Operation of the Intellect
23. Simple apprehension = the operation by which the
intellect understands some quiddity without affirming
anything about it.
24. Abstraction = this operation of the agent intellect
which considers one thing without another out of
several united in reality.
25. Being of reason = being which has objective being
in the intellect alone.
26. Negation = being of reason by which non-being is
conceived as a being (Gredt 110; negation = genus of
the being of reason).
27. Concept = simple intellectual representation of the
quiddity of something.
28. Notion = proper reason by which the thing is made
known to the mind.
29. Analogy = the mutual relation of diverse things by
which they are designated by the same name.
30. Analogy of attribution = the relation of one or
several things to some one thing by which the name
applies properly and strictly to the latter is said also of
the former(s).
31. Analogy of proportion = the mutual equality of
two proportions.
32. The notes of a concept = the intelligible elements
or aspects of this concept which the mind discerns and
which belong to it necessarily.
33. Term (oral) = arbitrary vocal sign.
34. Universal = one apt to be inherent in many.
35. Universal in being = one nature in many.
36. Universal as predicable = one nature said of many.

37. Praedicabile = modus universalitatis quo unum
pluribus inesse potest et de ipsis praedicari.
38. Genus = universale respiciens inferiora specie
distincta, IN QUID INCOMPLETE.
39. Species = universale respiciens inferiora numero
distincta, IN QUID COMPLETE.
40. Differentia specifica = universale respiciens
inferiora, IN QUALE QUID.
41. Proprium = universale respiciens inferiora, in
quale accidentaliter et necessarie.
42. Accidens = universale respiciens inferiora, in
quale accidentaliter et contingenter.
43. Suppositio = termini pro re aliqua significanda
usurpatio.
Secunda Operatio Intellectus
44. Iudicium = actus intellectus quo componit vel
dividit affirmando vel negando.
45. Assensus = actus quo intellectus inhaeret iudicio
formato.
46. Oratio = sequentia terminorum.
47. Propositio = oratio quae aliquid de aliquo affirmat
vel negat.
48. Divisio = oratio rem vel nomen per suas partes
distribuens.
49. Definitio = oratio naturam rei aut termini
significationem exponens.
50. Primum principium = propositio per se nota
omnibus.
51. Conscientia moralis = iudicium rationis practicae
circa moralitatem actionum.
Tertia Operatio Intellectus
52. Ratiocinium = actus mentis quo convenientia vel
repuqnantia duarum idearum infertur ex
proportione quam habent cum una tertia
notione.
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37. Predicable = the mode of universality by which
one thing can be in many and be predicated of them.
38. Genus = the universal in regards to its inferiors
specifically distinct with incomplete quiddity.
39. Species = the universal in regards to its inferiors
numerically distinct, with complete quiddity.
40. Specific difference = the universal in regards to its
inferiors, as qualifying the quiddity.
41. Proper = the universal in regards to its inferiors, as
qualifying accidentally and necessarily.
42. Accident = the universal in regards to its inferiors,
as qualifying accidentally and contingently.
43. Supposition = the use of the term to signify
something.
Second Operation of the Intellect
44. Judgment = the act of the intellect which composes
or divides by affirming or denying.
45. Assent = the act by which the intellect adheres to a
given judgment.
46. Oration (phrase) = sequence of terms.
47. Proposition = a phrase which affirms or denies
something about something.
48. Division = a sentence which separates a thing or a
noun into different parts.
49. Definition = the sequence which exposes the
nature of a thing or the signification of a term.
50. First principle = a proposition known to all
necessarily (per se).
51. Moral conscience = the judgment of the practical
reason concerning the morality of the acts.
Third Operations of the Intellect
52. Reasoning = the act of the mind by which the
convenience or disconvenience of two ideas is inferred
by the proportion (conformity/difformity) which they
have to a third notion.
53. Argumentum = oratio significans sequelam unius
ex alio.
54. Syllogismus = ratiocinium quo, duabus
propositionibus positis, alia infertur necessarie affirmation of the premises.
ex ipsa positione antecedentium.
55. Inductio = a singularibus sufficienter enumeratis, 56. Demonstration = a syllogism which makes
ad universale progressio.
56. Demonstratio = syllogismus faciens scire.
57. = syllogismus constans ex veris,
primis, immediatis, prioribus, notioribus
causisque conclusionis.
Transcendentalia
58. Transcendentale = universalis modus entis
inquantum entis.
59. Ens = id cuius actus est esse.
60. = id quod habet esse.
61. = id quod exercet actum essendi.
62. Res = synonymum entis dicens potius eius
essentiam.
63. Unum = ens indivisum.
64. Aliquid = ens divisum ab aliis et a non ente.
65. Verum = ens relate ad intellectum.
66. Bonum = ens relate ad appetitum.
67. Pulchrum = id quod apprehensum placet.
Actus – Potentia
68. Esse = id quo ens est, vel exsistit.
69. Exsistere = poni extra causas et extra nihil.
70. Consistere = ex componentibus componi.
71. Actus = entitas perficiens et determinans rem in
suo ordine.
72. Perfectio = (late) actualitas quaecumque.
73. = (stricte) plenitudo entis cui nullus
deficit actus ad eius plenam actualitatem
requisitus.
74. Potentia = entitas imperfecta capax perfectionis.
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53. Argument = a phrase which signifies the passage
of one thing from another.
54. Syllogism = reasoning by which, out of two
proportions, another is necessarily inferred from the
55. Induction = progression towards a universal
statement from singulars sufficiently enumerated.
something known.
= a syllogism based on the true,
first, immediate, proper and more known causes of the
conclusion.
Transcendentals
58. Transcendental- a universal mode of being insofar
as being.
59. Being = that whose act is to be.
60. = that which has being.
61. = that which exercises the act of being.
62. Thing = a synonym of being saying rather its
essence.
63. One = undivided being.
64. Something = being divided from others and
non-being.
65. True = being in relation to the intellect.
66. Good = being in relation to the will.
67. Beautiful = what pleases when apprehended.
Act - Potency
68. To be = that by which the being is, or exists.
69. To exist = to be placed outside of its causes and out
of nothing.
70. To consist = to be composed out of components.
71. Act = an entity which perfects and determines a
thing according to its nature.
72. Perfection = (broad sense) any act/entity
73. = (strict sense) the plenitude of a being
which is lacking no act necessary to its full actuation.
74. Potency = imperfect entity capable of perfection.

75. Privatio = carentia perfectionis in subiecto apto.
76. Malum = privatio boni debiti.
77. Potentia obedientialis = elevabilitas naturae ad
actum excedentem omnes naturales vires.
78. Motus = actus entis in potentia quatenus in
potentia.
79. Necessarium = id quod non potest non esse.
80. Contingens = id quod potest non esse.
Praedicamenta
81. Praedicamentum = genus supremum entis.
82. Substantia = id cui competit esse in se et non in
alia sicut in subiecto.
83. Subsistere = esse in se et non in alio sicut in
subiecto.
84. Individuum = indivisum in se et divisum a
quolibet alio.
85. Suppositum = substantia individua completa in
ratione speciei.
86. Subsistentia = modus naturalis positivus
terminans naturam in linea essentiae.
87. Persona = suppositum naturae rationalis.
88. Personalitas = subsistentia personae.
89. Materia = id ex quo aliquid fit.
90. Materia prima = subiectum primum ex quo, cum
insit, fit aliquid et non per accidens.
91. Forma = elementum determinativum
cuiuscumque essentiae.
92. Essentia = id quo ens est id quod est.
93. Natura = principium et causa motus et quietis eius
in quo est per se et non secundum accidens.
94. Species = forma determinans complete essentiam
rei.
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75. Privation = lack of perfection in a disposed
subject.
76. Evil = privation of a due good.
77. Obediential potency = the elevability of nature to
an act exceeding all its natural powers.
78. Movement = the act of a being in potency insofar
as it is in potency.
79. Necessary = that which cannot not be.
80. Contingent = that which can be not.
Predicaments
81. Predicament = the supreme genus of being.
82. Substance = that to which it belongs to be in itself
and not in another as in a subject.
83. To subsist = to be in itself and not in another as in
a subject.
84. Individual = a thing undivided in itself and divided
from everything else.
85. Supposit = an individuated substance complete in
its species.
86. Subsistence = a positive and natural mode
terminating the nature in the line of essence.
87. Person = the supposit of a rational nature.
88. Personality = the subsistence of a person.
89. Matter = that out of which something becomes.
90. Prime matter = the first subject out of which,
something while in it, becomes but not by accident.
91. Form = the determinative element of every
essence.
92. Essence = that by which a being is what it is.
93. Nature = the principle and cause of motion and rest
of a thing in which it is necessarily and not
accidentally.
94. Species = the form determining completely the
essence of a thing.
95. Quidditas = synonymum essentiae, quo
respondetur quaestioni super rem "quid est ?'
96. Anima = actus primus corporis in potentia
viventis.
97. Vita = sui-motio.
98. Accidens = id cui competit esse in alio et non in
se sicut in subiecto inhaesionis.
99. Qualitas = accidens determinativum seu
modificativum substantiae in seipsa.
100. Habitus = qualitas stabilis disponens subiectum
ad bene vel male esse sive operari.
101. Dispositio = qualitas facile mobilis disponens
subiectum ad bene vel male esse sive operari.
102. Potentia (operativa) = principium proximum
agendi simpliciter et absolute.
103. Patibilis qualitas = accidens diu permanens
sensibilem alterationem causans vel ab
alteratione sensibili causatum.
104. Forma vel Figura = qualitas seu modus in
corpore ex terminatione quantitatis.
105. Intellectus = potentia cognoscitiva essentiarum
rerum.
106. Appetitus inclinatio sequens formam.
107. Voluntas = appetitus intellectivus.
108. Beatitudo = bonum perfectum intellectualis
naturae.
109. Quantitas = accidens extensivum substantiae in
partes.
110. Relatio = accidens cuius totum inesse est ad
aliud se habere.
111. Actio = motus potentiae operativae ut a potentia
procedens.
112. Passio = accidens per quod subiectum
constituitur actu recipiens effectum ab agente.
113. Ubi = id ratione cuius res in loco constituitur.
114. Locus = corporis ambientis terminus primus
immobilis.
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95. Quiddity = a synonym of essences by which one
answers the question about a thing, "what is it?"
96. Soul = the first act of a body living in potency.
97. Life = self motion.
98. Accident = that to which it belongs to be in another
an not in itself as in a subject.
99. Quality = accident determining or modifying the
substance in itself.
100. Habit = stable quality disposing the subject to be
or act well or bad.
101. Disposition = quality easily mobile disposing the
subject to be or act well or bad.
102. Operative potency = proximate principle of acting
simply and absolutely.
103. Passible quality = a lasting accident causing a
sensible alteration or caused by a sensible alteration.
104. Form/figure = quality or mode in the body
produced by the completion of quantity.
105. Intellect = the power of knowing the essences of
things.
106. Appetite = the inclination seeking/following a
form.
107. Will = intellective appetite.
108. Beatitude = perfect good of the intellective
nature.
109. Quantity = the accident which extends the
substance into different parts.
110. Relation = the accident whose whole being is to
be ordered to another.
111. Action = the movement of the operative power
insofar as it proceeds from the power.
112. Passion = the accident by which the subject
becomes the receiver in act of the effect of the agent.
113. Where = that by which a thing is constituted in a
place.
114. Place = first immobile extremity of the surface of
a body.
115. Situs = accidens disponens rem locatam in
ordine ad locum
= ordo partium in loco.
116. Quando = accidens in re durante, ex
adiacentione temporis a quo rei illius duratio
mensuratus est.
117. Tempus = numerus motus secundum prius et
posterius.
118. Habitus = illa affectio quae in subiecto ex
vestimento resultat.
Relationes - Comparationes
119. Relatio = ordo unius ad aliud.
120. Relatio transcendentalis = ordo entis absoluti per
se ordinati.
121. Signum = id quod praeter speciem quam ingerit
sensibus facit aliquid aliud in cognitionem devenire.
122. Principium = id a quo aliquid procedit
quocumque modo.
123. Causa = omne quod influit esse rei.
124. Causa efficiens = id quod actione sua rem
producit in esse.
125. Causa finalis = id propter quod aliquid fit.
126. Distincta = ea quorum unum non est aliud.
127. Diversa = ea quae nullam convenientiam habent,
et seipsis differunt.
128. Differentia = ea quae aliquam convenientiam
habent et per aliquid superadditum differunt.
129. Oppositio = habitudo plurium inter se vi cuius
eidem sub eodem aspectu simul convenire nequeunt.
130. Oppositio contradictoria = oppositio inter rem
eiusque negationem.
131. Oppositio privativa = oppositio inter rem
eiusque privationem.
132. Oppositio contratia = oppositio inter ea quae in
eodem genere maxime distant.
133. Oppositio relativa = oppositio inter ea quae
ordinem sive respectum ad invicem dicunt.
134. Aeternitas = interminabilis vitae tota simul et
perfecta possessio.
135. Creatio = productio ex nihilo et subjecti
136. Passio =
Logica
1.1 Impossibile est idem secundem idem simul esse et the same time and in the same respect.
non esse (principle of non-contradiction).
1.2 Omnis comparatio claudicat nisi in puncto
comparationis.
1.3 Contra factum non fit argumentum.
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115. Position = accident disposing the thing localized
in relation to the place; the order of the parts in the
place.
116. When = accident of a thing which has some
duration, which is measured by addition of time.
117. Time = measure of the movement according to
before and after.
118. Habit = that particular addition to the subject
which results from a garment.
Relations - Comparisons
119. Relation = the order of one thing to another.
120. Transcendental relation = the order of an absolute
being ordered necessarily (per se).
121. Sign = that which, besides the species produced
in the senses, reveals the knowledge of something else.
122. Principle = that from which something proceeds
in any way.
123. Cause = whatever influences the being of a thing.
124. Efficient cause = that which by its action
produces the thing in existence.
125. Final cause = that for the sake of which
something becomes.
126. Distinct things = those things, one of which is not
the other.
127. Diverse things = those things which have nothing
in common, and differ among themselves.
128. Different things = those things which have
something in common, and differ by some addition.
129. Opposition = relation between several things by
which they cannot agree in the same thing under the
same aspect simultaneously.
130. Contradictory opposition = the opposition
between a thing and its negation.
131. Privative opposition = the opposition between a
thing and its privation.
132. Contrary opposition = the opposition between
those things which are most distant in the same genus.
133. Relative opposition = the opposition between
those thing which are ordained or have respect to each
other.
134. Eternity = wholesome, simultaneous, and perfect
possession of the interminable life.
135. Creation = production from nothing of its own or
of the subjects.
136. Passio =
Logic:
1.1 It is impossible that the same thing be and not be at
1.2 Each comparison limps except in the point of
comparison.
1.3 Against a fact you can’t argue.
1.4 He who proves too much, proves nothing.
1.4 Qui nimis probat nihil probat.
1.5 Cum negante principia nequit disputari.
1.6 Definitio declarat essentiam; verbum significat
definitionem.
1.7 Quad gratis affirmatur, gratis negatur.
1.8 Parvus error in principiis, magnus in
conclusionibus.
1.9 De singularibus non est scientia.
1.10 Ab esse ad posse valet illatio.
Cosmologia:
2.1 Corruptio unius generatio alterius.
2.2 Accidens non migrat de subjecto in subjectum.
2.3 Actiones sunt suppositorum (of the substance
itself).
2.4 Individuum est incommunicabile (ineffabile).
2.5 Natura abhorret a vacua.
2.6 Natura nihil facit inane. [I:75:6], [III:9:4],
[I:105:5]
2.7 Actio in distans simpliciter repugnat.
2.8 Nihil violentum perpetuum.
Psychologia:
3.1 Nihil in intellectu quod non prius in sensu.
3.2 Omnem formam sequitur inclinatio (towards its
perfection).
3.3 Nihil appetitur nisi quod apprehenditur.
3.4 Nihil volitum nisi praecognitum (ignoti nulla
cupido).
3.5 Intellectus est universalium; sensus est
particularium. [I:75:6:@3]
3.6 Quod potest cognoscere aliqua, oportet ut nihil
eorum habeat in sua natura. [I:75:2]
3.7 Quidquid recipitur modo recipientis recipitur.
[I:75:5]
3.8 Intellectus in actu est intelligibile in actu
[I:85:2:ad1] (cognitum et cognoscens sunt unum
intentionalter).
3.9 Anima est quodammodo omnia.
3.10 Bonum est diffusivum sui. [I:27:5:ad2]
3.11 Aliquid cognoscibile est inquantum est actu.
[I:12:1]
3.12 Abstrahentium non est mendacium. [I:85:1:ad1]
3.13 Voluntas se habet ad finem sicut intellectus ad
prima principia.
3.14 Sicut principium in speculativis, ita finis in
operativis.
3.15 Cognitum est proprie in cognoscente, amans in
amato. [I:82:3; II.II:23:6:ad1]
3.16 Intellectus in principio est sicut tabula rasa.
[I:79:2]
8
1.5 With someone denying the principles, don't
dispute.
1.6 The definition declares the essence, the word
signifies the definition.
1.7 What is freely affirmed can be freely denied.
1.8 A small error in the principles is large in the
conclusions.
1.9 There is no science of singulars.
1.10 The argument is valid only from being to the
possibility of being
Cosmology:
2.1 Corruption of one thing is the generation of
another thing.
2.2 The accidents do not migrate from subject to
subject.
2.3 The actions are of the supposit.
2.4 The individual is incommunicable (and therefore
ineffable).
2.5 Nature abhors the void.
2.6 Nature does nothing in vain.
2.7 The action (act) at some distance is totally
repugnant. (Act if far, from potency can't reduce it to
act.)
2.8 No violent state lasts forever.
Psychology:
3.1 Nothing is in the intellect which is not first in the
senses.
3.2 An inclination follows every form.
3.3 Nothing is desired except what is apprehended.
3.4 Nothing is desired unless it is pre-known. The
ignorant has no desire.
3.5 The intellect is of universals, the senses are of
particulars.
3.6 To be apt to know something, one must not have
the form of it in its own nature.
3.7 Whatever is received, is received in the mode of
the receiver.
3.8 The intellect in act is the intelligible object in act.
3.9 The soul is in a certain way all things.
3.10 Good is self diffusing.
3.11 Something is knowable insofar as it is in act.
3.12 Abstractors are not liars.
3.13 The end is to the will what the first principles are
to the intellect.
3.14 The end is to operative things what the principle
is to the speculative ones.
3.15 The object known is properly in the knower, the
lover in the object loved.
3.16 The intellect at the beginning is like a blank slate
(or a newly formatted floppy disk).
Metaphysics:
Metaphysica:
Actus-potentia:
4.1 Agere sequitur esse. [I:75:2-5]
4.2 Tertium non datur (Non est medium inter esse et
non esse - foundation of all distinctions).
4.3 Potentia dicitur ad actum et specificatur ab
objecto.
4.4 Quod est in potentia non reducitur ad actum nisi
per ens actu.
4.5 Est de natura actus communicare se inquantum
potest. [I:27:1]
4.6 Quantum distat potentia ab actu, tantum potentior
debet esse agens. [I:45:5:ad2; II.II:141:7:ad1]
Essentia-existentia:
5.1 Forma dat esse.
5.2 Omne agens agit per formam.
5.3 Omne agens agit sibi simile.
5.4 Nulla substantia creata est per se operans
(substances need accidents to act). [I:79:1; I:54:1-2;
I:77:1]
5.5 Quod est per accidens accidit ei quod est per se.
[I:116; I:44:2]
Causalitas:
6.1 Omne quod movetur ab alia movetur. [I:2:3:@1]
6.2 Ex nihilo, nihil. [I:44:1-2]
6.3 Omne agens agit propter finem. [I.II:1:6]
6.4 Causa potior est effectu. [I:16:1:ad3; I:95:1;
I:88:3:ad2]
6.5 Nihil est causa suiipsius (Nihil sui causa).
[I:3:4:ad1]
6.6 Causae sunt ad invicem causae (sed aliter et
aliter).
6.7 Causa causae est causa causati. [I:103:6]
6.8 Sublata causay tollitur effectus. [I:2:3]
6.9 Posito effectus, ponitur causa.
6.10 Finis est causa causarum. [I.II:1:6]
6.11 Finis est primus in intentione, ultimus in
executione. [I.II:1:3:ad2]
6.12 Qui vult finem, vult media ad finem.
6.13 Est proprium causae perfectissimae dare
dignitatem causae secundariae effectibus imperfectis.
[I:103:6]
6.14 Multitudo non reddit rationem unitatis suae. [De
Pot. 3:5]
6.15 Compositio non reddit rationem unitatis suae.
[I:3:7]
6.16 Nihil agit nisi secundum quod est actu.
[I:2:3:@1]
6.17 Secundum ordinem agentium est ordo finium.
6.18 Corruptio optimi pessima (Corruptio principis et
principii.) [II.II:154:12]
6.19 Per se prius est eo quod est per accidens.
9
Act-Potency:
4.1 "To act” follows "to be." Action follows (and
manifests) the being of something.
4.2 There is no third way, there can be no middle
between being and nonbeing.
4.3 The potency is ordained to its act and is specified
by its object.
4.4 What is in potency, is not reduced to act except by
a being already in act.
4.5 It is of the nature of act to communicate itself
insofar as it is able.
4.6 The more distant a potency is from act, the more
powerful an agent must be to actuate it.
Essence-Existence:
5.1 Through the form the existence comes to a thing
(Form gives being).
5.2 Each agent acts through its form.
5.3 Each agent produces an effect similar.
5.4 No created substance is operating per se (by itself).
5.5 What is "per accidens" is accidental to that which
is “per se." (i.e. accidental presupposes essential, see
[6.19]).
Causality:
6.1 Whatever is moved is moved by another.
6.2 Nothing comes from nothing.
6.3 Every agent acts on account of an end.
6.4 The cause is greater than the effect.
6.5 Nothing is the cause of itself.
6.6 Causes are the causes of one another (in different
lines of causality).
6.7 The cause of the cause) is the cause of the thing
caused.
6.8 Take away the cause and you take away the effect.
6.9 If you have an effects you have necessarily a
cause.
6.10 The end is the cause of causes.
6.11 The end is first in intention and last in execution.
6.12 Whoever desires the ends desires the means to
that end.
6.13 It is the proper of the most perfect cause to give
the dignity of secondary cause to imperfect effects.
6.14 A multitude does not have in itself the reason of
its unity.
6.15 What is composed does not have in itself the
reason of its unity.
6.16 Nothing acts unless insofar as it is in act.
6.17 The order of ends corresponds to the order of
agents.
6.18 The corruption of the best is the worst (e.g.
corruption of the prince or of the principles).
6.19 What is essential is prior to that which is
accidental.
6.20 Quod est per participationem causatur ab eo
quod est per essentiam. [I:2:3:@:4]
6.21 Nemo dat quod non habet. [I:2:3]
6.22 Quanto altior est natura, tanto id quod ex ea
emanat magis est intimum. [I:27:1]
6.23 Optimi est optima facere. [I:103:1]
6.24 Qualis unusquisque est, talis finis videtur ei
conveniens. [I.II:9:2] apud Garrigou- Lagrange
[I.II:1:7] (Rock fans)
6.25 Quod possibile est non esse quandoque non est.
[I:2:3:@3]
6.26 Quod possibile est fallere quandoque deficit.
[I:48]
6.27 Entia (et miracula) non sunt multiplicanda.
6.28 Quod est supremum in genere est causa omnium
in genere. [I:44:1]
6.29 Quod potest compleri per pauciora principia,
non fit per plura.
6.30 Idem oportet esse judicium de totius multitudinis
et unius. Pars et totum sunt quodammodo idem.
[II.II:61:1:ad2] [De Reg. Principis 1:14]
6.31 Qui magis potest minus potest.
Prima Principia rationis
7.1 Sufficient reason: omne ens habet rationem
sufficientem sui essendi in se aut in alio.
7.2 Identity: Ens est ens.
7.3 Non-contradiction: Ens non est non ens.
7.4 Contraries: Non potest idem secundum idem
simul determinari diversis modis.
7.5 Causality: Omne ens contingens est ab alio (causa
efficiente).
7.6 Finality: omne agens agit propter finem.
10
6.20 What is by participation is caused by that which
is by essence.
6.21 No one can give what he does not have.
6.22 The higher the natures the more intimate is what
flows from it.
6.23 It is the proper of the best to make the best.
6.24 The way someone is is the way he determines
what end is convenient for him.
6.25 What can not be, sometimes is not.
6.26 What can be deficient sometimes is deficient.
6.27 Being (and miracles) must not be multiplied.
6.28 What is supreme in a genus is cause of everything
in the genus.
6.29 What can be done by few principles is not done
by many.
6.30 The part and the whole are the same regarding the
end.
6.31 He who can do more can do less.
First Principles of Reason:
7.1 Sufficient reason: Everything has sufficient reason
of being either in itself or in another.
7.2 Identity: Every being is by itself constituted in its
own specific nature.
7.3 Non-contradiction: One and the same being cannot
be and not be what it is.
7.4 Contraries: One and the same being cannot be and
not be at the same time and in the same sense
determined in two different ways.
7.5 Causality: Every being which can not-be needs an
efficient cause to be.
7.6 Finality: Every agent acts for an end.