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Theorems on Existence and Essence
Giles of Rome, direct student of Thomas Aquinas, cardinal, writer with a large corpus, very little of which has appeared in English.
- GenresPhilosophy
Paperback
Published June 1, 1953
17 people want to read
About the author
Giles of Rome
16 books1 followerGiles of Rome (Latin: Aegidius Romanus; Italian: Egidio Colonna; c. 1243 – 22 December 1316), was an archbishop of Bourges who was famed for his logician commentary on the Organon by Aristotle. Giles was styled Doctor Fundatissimus ("Best-Grounded Teacher") by Pope Benedict XIV. He was Prior General of the Augustinian order, and also authored two other important works, De Ecclesiastica Potestate, a major text of early 14th century papalism, and De Regimine Principum, a guide book for princes.
Writers in 14th and 15th century England such as John Trevisa and Thomas Hoccleve translated or adapted him into English.
Writers in 14th and 15th century England such as John Trevisa and Thomas Hoccleve translated or adapted him into English.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 27, 2022
This is a really good treatise. Giles sets out to make the case that essence and existence (Latin essentia and existentia) must be differentiated. The arguments are well thought out and are quite compelling. It seems that there were Scholastic philosophers around this time that saw no real difference between the two. Apparently, Henry of Ghent was one such. Henry of Ghent also accused Giles of heterodoxy with his views regarding this differentiation. This treatise was partially a response to Henry of Ghent.
Giles position seems to hinge on his contention that only in God can one assert that essence and existence are one. For every creature, their essence established previously and their existence hinges on this. My existence hinges on me being a homosapien. My essence derives from this even before I exist. There does seem to be nuance found in these two terms that exist both in English and their base in Latin. There is a difference between what doesn’t exist, but what can exist, and what doesn’t exist and cannot exist. Essence determines what can exist.
This is a great work of Scholasticism. Definitely do recommend it to those interested in Scholastic philosophy. This was low on pedantry and high on relevant content.
Giles position seems to hinge on his contention that only in God can one assert that essence and existence are one. For every creature, their essence established previously and their existence hinges on this. My existence hinges on me being a homosapien. My essence derives from this even before I exist. There does seem to be nuance found in these two terms that exist both in English and their base in Latin. There is a difference between what doesn’t exist, but what can exist, and what doesn’t exist and cannot exist. Essence determines what can exist.
This is a great work of Scholasticism. Definitely do recommend it to those interested in Scholastic philosophy. This was low on pedantry and high on relevant content.
Displaying 1 of 1 review