The One and the Many: A Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics

by W. Norris Clarke S.J.

When it is taught today, metaphysics is often presented as a fragmented view of philosophy that ignores the fundamental issues of its classical precedents. Eschewing these postmodern approaches, W. Norris Clarke finds an integrated vision of reality in the wisdom of Aquinas and here offers a contemporary version of systematic metaphysics in the Thomistic tradition. The One and the Many presents metaphysics as an integrated whole which draws on Aquinas' themes, structure, and insight without attempting to summarize his work. Although its primary inspiration is the philosophy of St. Thomas himself, it also takes into account significant contributions not only of later philosophers but also of those developments in modern science that have philosophical bearing, from the Big Bang to evolution.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Metaphysics, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Catholic

332 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2000

Reviews

[Simona Sanduleac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I thought that a book about philosophy would get very dark very fast. But this book was a breath of fresh air. So intricately constructed, and yet so simply explained that in the end you join the author in the celebration of life, the celebration of the simple yet complex act of pure existence, an expression and a communication of God’s love toward everything that has its being.

The first half was a bit hard to get through if you’re not accustomed to texts like this one, but once you get the rhythm of it, it becomes really fun. Really, fun is the only way I can describe this book.
Will have to reread it.

[Esther Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This winter, after long years, I have revisited The Lord of the Rings. I have been caught up in the grand glory of this world, with its epic quest, its noble greetings and partings, and its haunting songs.

All this, while I read and reread Classical Christian metaphysics, and try to write it in a way that compels us all to recognize the jewel of the real and our communion with it. I want to share with you what I found in W. Norris Clarke’s summative chapter in his advanced metaphysics text, The One and the Many. Now just see if this doesn’t sound like LOTR!

“The Universe as a Meaningful Journey. Having outlined the basic metaphysical structure of the universe, . . . we now . . . pull together in one great synoptic vision what this universe of ours is all about. . . the whole created universe as journey. Its two main phases are . . . the Journey away from Home (the exitus) . . . [and] the Journey back Home (the reditus).” (303-5)

In the Journey away from Home, from our Infinite Source, Clarke writes, “finite creatures actively unfold their diverse dynamic natures as finite participations in the divine perfection and as centers of self-expressive and self-communicating action and interaction with each other, thus forming a universe.” Surely Tolkien had this cosmic adventure in view as he composed his epic tale!

The Journey back Home is “toward reunion with the One, our Infinite Source, drawn by this source through the pull of the Good built into the very nature of every being.” The journey Home can never be the same as the journey away from Home . . .”

This is the basic dynamism of the Universe. “We all instinctively recognize the journey as the basic form of all human lives, a journey that can only be adequately described in a story.” The human being is Homo Viator, Man the Traveller. Clarke concludes: “The message of this book: Get on with the Journey, as a fully self-conscious Traveler! Homo Viator!” (8)

I’m intrigued that, in LOTR, one must leave home, and that one must return, but that the return never brings you only to where you began. The world changes on your journey. There is a farther vista. On the very evening of exaltation and reunion after the Ring has been destroyed, the wood elf, Legolas, opts to walk in the woods of Ithilien rather than to sleep. And he sings, hauntingly, of . . . the beckoning sea!!

As for Clarke’s One & Many: this is advanced text in metaphysics helpfully exposes the heart of the real, an every-day jewel with inexhaustive depths and vistas.

[Jonathan Platter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarke provides an excellent course for understanding the brilliant metaphysical synthesis of Thomas Aquinas. The book helpfully works through clear and careful explanations of concepts (derived from Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophy) and the arguments that lead to their acceptance. Very little prior knowledge is assumed, though it will be more difficult for readers with little training in philosophy.

What is notable about the book is that he remains faithful to Aquinas and to his original arguments, and yet he also carries forward the discussion to take into account the results of modern science as well as his own personal contributions to metaphysics.

This is introductory in the sense that he assumes little prior knowledge in metaphysics, and yet not introductory in a different sense. Many introductory texts in metaphysics (Michael Loux, for example) give fairly equal weight to various positions with minimal partiality. Clarke, on the other hand, only surveys other options on specific problems to show how other proposals are deficient. He then presents a counter-argument and concludes with his own Thomistic solution.

Several of his positions are debated among Thomists, and he makes note when such is the case. Also, several of his positions will strike readers are unsupported, especially in his discussions of the metaphysics of evolution and the metaphysical status of the human person and the human soul.

In sum, Clarke provides a valuable resource for metaphysicians. It should dispel many false construals of Thomism and should open the reader's mind to a greater wonder at the world we inhabit.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this several years ago. Fr. Clarke was old and grey when he wrote it... Amazing man. The book is not St. Thomas but Fr. Clarke's synthesis. Brilliantly done.

The only problem I had when reading it, as I can recollect, is that I disagreed with his take on intelligent design, which, as I remember it, he bought into. I still think that if the physical sciences are about the physical, then one cannot determine the formal cause from physical things directly.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing, to a person who likes to box concepts. A beautiful style, when the author isn't adding exclamation points at the ends of his paragraphs. Shaping, too - this system of thought will influence my thinking for the rest of my life. I recommend this book.

I can't, however, escape the nagging feeling that Thomism, in splitting and re-assembling the parts, doesn't quite assemble the whole. Philosophically speaking, one could say that there are concepts, such as mental beings, from unicorns to married bachelors, which do not partake of real being. I have a hard time saying that those objects even exist in the mind, since the objects are more than mental. Subjectively speaking, on the other hand, there seems to be something missing, and I can't quite identify what, or why I think this is the case. I love big abstract systems that attempt to capture the whole of reality, and yet suspect them when they claim to actually succeed in doing so. I suspect that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that the longest way around is the shortest way home.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

After trying to give this book all possible credit for trying to be a simple introduction to the subject, I still find it clumsy and unconvincing. I am very much on his side of the war of all against all between the various philosophical camps of the world, but Neo-Thomism is just crying out for people who really understand physical science to do the work to really bridge these grand old concepts, with all of their potential, to the intricate, often counterintuitive, and even more often unexpected hosts of discoveries made in the last 400 years. I'm confident the system could be adequately extended, and the result a colossal masterpiece of human thought, but I don't think much of the work has been done yet, and certainly Clarke betrays trivial knowledge of it.

[David Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most interesting book on Thomistic metaphysics that I have ever read. The author interacts with a number of different philosophical schools of thought, including the contemporary Heideggerian school. He does not simply explain Aquinas's Metaphysical thoughts, but also pushes them further. This book is probably not for the beginner, or for someone who is new to Thomistic metaphysics, however, for anybody who is serious about Metaphysics (the study of being as being), this book is absolutely necessary.

[Aid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to Thomistic metaphysics, I especially liked the parts about the use of analogy.

[Kelly Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I had to read (most) of this for an Intro to Metaphysics class, I expected this to be difficult, pretentious, and completely over my head. While it was all those things, there were quite a few beautiful moments of profound simplicity scattered among the heavy philosophical jargon which made the work actually enjoyable at times. Also- Clarke's end-of-chapter comparisons of Thomism with the empirical philosophies of Hume and Locke were super interesting and helpful as a modern reader. This is one of the few philosophy books I'll probably give another go in a few year's time.

(P.S. I only gave 4 stars bc book is big and my brain = small)

[Julio Alonzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my experience most secondary literature on Thomas does not focus as much on his doctrine of the act of existence (Actus essendi) and his thought on participation, i.e. his more Neo-platonic aspects. This work by Clarke does exactly that. He frames the whole book on the problem of the One and the Many, i.e. how reality is both one and many and how it is the job of a systematic metaphysics to make that intelligible. At the end he solves the problem by making explicit how Thomas synthesises the best of Aristotelian thought (act and potency, form and matter) and the best of Neo-Platonic intuitions (participation of the particular in the universal), giving them his own existentialist spin (essence and existence). So for those interested in Thomistic metaphysics, in particular those who have mainly read Feser, Oderberg and others, this more existentialist (with that I mean the primacy that is given to the act of existence) reading of St. Thomas is a very nice complement to those other more "essentialist" commentators.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot to unpack. One go through of the book really just paints an overall picture of a modern take of Thomistic metaphysics. He does have glossary of terms, which was great for clarification from time to time, as a lot of terminology is thrown out there. If you’re unfamiliar with Metaphysics (as I was generally) it was wonderful to have as more often than not philosophers simply presuppose you’ll remember ever word they say! With so many subtle distinctions in terms it was a great asset. I got a little bogged-down in the chapter on “Time”...which got a little off track from the more clear arguments he made before and after that. Other than that, I thought it was certainly a worthwhile read, and definitely helped me in parsing-out what Aquinas wrote in the Summa in certain parts.

[Darryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this as a textbook for a Metaphysics class at the local Catholic college. As tough as metaphysics is to understand, Clarke makes it understandable and enjoyable. Be prepared to reread what he has to say though, as he packs a lot of information into each chapter.

[Jessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent- just not a book for a total novice. I'll need to return to it later!

[Laurent Dv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le plus beau livre que j'ai lu sur le thomisme (la philosophie de Thomas d'Aquin) à ce jour. Norris Clarke présente de manière très accessible la métaphysique de Thomas d'Aquin (métaphysique = l'étude la plus profonde possible de ce que sont les choses qui existent). Il peut se lire à la fois comme une introduction accessible aux débutants (même si le titre peut faire peur) et une contribution sérieuse pour le spécialiste.

Le livre est long non pas parce que l'auteur se perd dans de longs raisonnements mais parce qu'il aborde énormément de concepts, ce qui donne un gros livre mais avec beaucoup de chapitres courts. Il y a un lexique à la fin avec la définition de tous les mots compliqués. Après des livres faciles d'Adler, Kreeft et de Feser, c'est LE livre que je conseille pour avoir une vue d'ensemble sur la métaphysique thomiste, ses arguments, son réalisme, sa cohérence et sa beauté.

Ses points forts :
1) Il est très clair, il explique les choses avec des mots simples et de manière compréhensible c'est le plus clair que j'ai trouvé pour l'instant).
2) Il est concret : beaucoup d'images et d'exemples).
3) Il est rigoureux et structuré : il définit tous les termes techniques et il ne se perd pas dans des digressions, il y a beaucoup de sous-parties logiques et un fil conducteur du début à la fin, pour chaque partie de chapitres mais aussi pour chaque chapitre.
4) Il est synthétique : chaque chapitre, c'est-à-dire chaque concept tient sur pas plus qu'une dizaine de pages.
5) Il est vivant et captivant : le livre ne se présente pas du tout comme un dictionnaire mais comme un "roman", une grande aventure)
6) Il est "très beau" sur la forme et le contenu : il n'écrit pas juste des raisonnements abstraits et morts mais il y a des phrases très belles à lire, on dirait même de la poésie parfois. et surtout il nous montre toujours la beauté de la réalité (comment cela nous pousse à l'émerveillement, l'admiration et à l'adoration du Créateur si l'on est croyant) telle que nous la décrit la métaphysique des philosophes classiques (Platon, Aristote, Plotin, les néoplatonistes, Augustin, Pseudo-Denys, Thomas d'Aquin, les scolastiques etc.), que Thomas a fait l'exploit de synthétiser et d'harmoniser ensemble.

Il aborde évidemment toutes les notions classiques : être ou existence/essence, matière et forme, acte et puissance, le mouvement (le changement), substance et accident, les transcendantaux, la théologie naturelle (existence et attributs de Dieu), la cause efficiente, la cause finale, le mal mais aussi des sujets originaux comme le temps (partie assez complexe à relire) et la théorie de l'évolution (il opte pour une position évolutionniste théiste, c'est-à-dire guidée par Dieu en acceptant grosso modo l'intelligent design).

Une de ses plus grandes contributions dans ce livre, c'est en gros de vulgariser et de structurer la découverte de Gilson : la place cruciale de l'acte d'être (ce qui fait que n'importe être être - truc qui existe - un chien, un caillou, Trump etc. - existe) dans la métaphysique de Thomas d'Aquin. On ne peut enfermer l'acte d'être dans un concept (même si en pratique on est obligé de le faire pour en parler), en tout cas on doit être conscient que c'est quelque chose qui dépasse tout effort de conceptualisation (il explique très bien ce point qui est très compliqué à comprendre).

Quelques défauts :
1) La partie sur le libre-arbitre et la providence de Dieu est assez compliquée à comprendre, il faudra que je la relise, je ne suis pas sûr de le comprendre et du coup d'être convaincu.
2) Je suis conscient que c'est un livre qui parle avant tout de métaphysique, mais quand il parle du christianisme, de l'espérance de la vie éternelle etc., il est dommage qu'il ne parle pas du problème fondamental de l'homme d'après le christianisme : son péché et sa rébellion contre Dieu, qui le coupent du bonheur, du Bien ultime.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book quickly became one of my all-time favorites. Fr. Norris Clarke was a professor of philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx and originally wrote this as a textbook for his students. Although the title calls it a "Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics," it's really more aptly described as Fr. Norris Clarke's "creative retrieval" of Aquinas' philosophy. To that end, he makes several modifications in order to adapt Thomism to modern scientific discoveries (Darwinism, Quantum Physics, etc.) This, to me, is a selling point, but I can see how this might be a deterrent for those looking for a pure exegesis of Thomism. Nonetheless, I found the reasoning in this book to be airtight, and consider many of its arguments nigh irrefutable.

It's also worth mentioning Fr. Norris Clarke's willingness to quote from Eastern philosophers. In one paragraph he flips from Parmenides and Heraclitus to discussing parallel ideas in Vedantic Hinduism. Zen master Dogen, and the Daoists Lao Tzu and Chuang-tzu also make little cameo appearances. While he does not go in-depth (that would be beyond the scope of the book), it's always nice to see that an author is at least cognizant of Eastern philosophy. Likewise, several Enlightenment philosophers (Descartes, Hume, Kant, Spinoza, and Leibniz) are also presented and given brief critiques (again, it would be beyond the scope of the book to take on any one of those thinkers at length). While I felt more could have been said, the responses given were reasonably sufficient for Clarke to carry on with his larger argument and philosophical program.

The most important thing that I took away from this book is the way of thinking and looking at the world it invites the reader to partake in. The whole book really can serve as an implicit argument about the nature of philosophy- how to think philosophically, as well as how we can avoid philosophical dead-ends.

[Jeff Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Clarke writes within the Existential Thomist school of thought. If there is a rational theistic metaphysical view which can credibly support paranormal revelation as a source of truth, it is more likely to be found here than anywhere else I've looked. There probably isn't, but if there is, it's here. Either way, the Thomist model of the ultimate reality being the susbsistent act of existing itself welcomes a naturalist to personify that act as "God" if God-language and the narratives and rituals of Christian heritage remain subjectively meaningful to him or her. The Essence/Existence distinction and the primacy of Existence over Essence--explored even more radically in the work of James Arraj--are fruitful conceptual models for engaging the universe at the level of meaning-making.

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful intro to thomistic metaphysics. Has some awkward modernist turns (including trying to fit the big bang and evolution into the framework) BUT nonetheless really helpful.

A possible starting place to understand how philosophy can serve theology and what people are talking about when they mention Substance, Accidents, Relations, Existence, Essence, Analogy, Proper Proportion, Transcendentals and more.

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for both research and an introduction to metaphysics, but dated for both. References in this work point to articles from the 1980s or earlier. And although it depends highly on Aquinas and Aristotle, often Clarke will depart from them without giving the definitions or explanations according to a true Thomistic system of metaphysics.

[Jacob DiNicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The One and the Many" answers logical problems that many have never considered. This book paints the world in a new light; it becomes impossible to observe things any differently. "What is this? Why is it this and not something else?". A MUST-read for any philosopher, theologian, or anyone looking to get a better understanding of reality.

[Ci · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible beginner's guide to Thomistic metaphysics with direct application to contemporary issues. Not bogged down by footnotes and details but direct and relevant. An excellent first-encounter for a beginner.

[Gab Nug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graduate metaphysics course. Great introduction into thomistic metaphysics. I didn't read it all the way through, but I'd like to in the future. A good starting point for anyone who wants to dip their piggies into metaphysics.

[Chris Groscurth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive in-depth analysis of St. Thomas Aquinas's metaphysics. This is a deep one, but well worth working through for understanding the metaphysical basis of Catholic social teaching and Christianity in general.

[Elizabeth Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for school, but I love how this provided more context for things I was learning, and it explained difficult concepts in an easier way. I would absolutely recommend to anyone interested in philosophy.

[David Norcross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely accessible guide to thomistic metaphysics, there are a few ways his interpretation is bloated and over complicated. Specifically his interpretation of “analogy of proportionality” vs “analogy of proportion” is more controversial it seems than he claims.
(Read it for a class)

[jt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A creative retrieval of St. Thomas Aquinas' metaphysics, emphasis on the "creative."

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is possible that I will teach metaphysics once again after five years, so I reread Fr. Clarke to get ready for it. The insights are still fresh, and I'm excited to teach this again.

[Laura Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to Thomistic Metaphysics. Very well written and has some commentary on modern metaphysic theories.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second time through this book. I took a course on St. Thomas Aquinas from "Fr. Norrie" in graduate school, and it was life-altering (but so were a few other -- *very* different -- courses, it must be said). This book is a great introduction to metaphysics -- not necessarily to *academic* metaphysics, not necessarily to the way professional philosophers write, but to *thinking about existence* for yourself. Even though it is written from a single, somewhat idiosyncratic perspective, it compares all its substantive points to competing views throughout. It is written clearly and in a very personal style (as I read it to myself, I kept hearing Clarke's soft voice and sparkling personality). A professor, considering this book for an intro course, might be tempted to reject it in favor of a more textbook-y, dispassionate presentation of a spectrum of views. That is not unreasonable, but I suspect the latter choice would be less likely to inspire a beginning philosopher to explore further. Clarke's book has the potential, I would think, to spark an ongoing interest in metaphysics -- even if Clarke's "creative retrieval" of the classic Aristotelian/Existential-Thomist metaphysics is ultimately rejected in favor of a competitor. He takes these questions *personally*, and that's the sort of attitude that kindles that spark of philosophy to which Plato referred.

And if you already happen to hold to one of those competing views (such as process metaphysics or Hegelian idealism, or empiricism or even "natural class trope nominalism") or if you fancy yourself a metaphysics-skeptic (Humean, Kantian, pragmatist, deconstructionist, etc.), I'm going to go out on a limb here: the chances are you never actually studied Aristotelian/Thomistic metaphysics. Instead, you probably read only its critics. Well, here's a painless way to make sure you think what you think about the metaphysics you have rejected. It doesn't of course answer all the questions -- each point raises another, as is the way of philosophy. It may not ultimately persuade. But you'll come away with a good sense of what that metaphysical perspective is all about.

And if you've never read any extended meditation on the nature of reality, you could do a lot worse than starting here. There are some hiccups in the exposition (these are most likely class lecture notes, only lightly edited, with the flaws one might expect), but a reader will come away with a strong sense of the *gist* of classical metaphysics.

[Christian Raab, OSB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metaphysics is not my field of expertise, but it would be hard for me to imagine a more cogent and engaging introduction to the subject. It assumes an intelligent but non-expert audience. Clarke is a real teacher and to read this book is to be taught. It is extremely rich, with every paragraph being full of insight. If possible, it should not be read quickly. It is going immediately on my "to be re-read" shelf. With the topics here being as important as they are, I can see myself re-reading this book many times.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my metaphysics class, and I really really liked it. But, it wasn't until the following semester that I really really REALLY liked it- this book saved my life. If hadn't read it, I don't think I would have survived my thomistic traditions class. This book made everything make so much more sense, which is good, because thomistics had some darn hard reading, and some long papers that I heavily relied on this book for reference.