Metaphysics Midterm

Why is metaphysics the highest science that we are capable of by reason?

Because it studies the first principles of reality as a whole, and above all, being.

In what way are running and a runner analogous to be-ing and a being? Be prepared not only to state the analogy but explain it.

Be-ing  (verb) is an act that makes a being (noun) what it is. Running (verb)  is an act that makes a runner (noun) what he is.

Explain what it means for different uses of the same term to be related in a univocal way, an equivocal way, and an analogical way.

Univocal: Two or more applications of the same word have the same meaning (a palm is a tree, and oak is a tree) 

Equivocal: One word with different meanings (I have a coin in my palm, a palm is a tree) 

Analogical: Same word, similar meanings but not exact (this is a good car, this is a good pizza)  

What is logical being? What is real being?

Logical being: Our being makes it possible for them to have their being (it exists in our mind/imagination)  

Real being:  Being that exists in reality, in the order of actual existence, independently of the intellect. 

List the transcendentals. Include the controversial transcendental on this list too.

Thing, one, otherness, true, good, beauty (controversial)

What is evil?

Evil is the privation of the good (a lack of something that should exist but doesn’t)

State the principle of non-contradiction.

The same thing cannot both be and not be in the same respect and at the same time.

State the principle of identity.

A being is being

Briefly explain metaphysical, physical, and moral identity.

Metaphysical: means a thing is the same in its essence or nature. It is the deepest kind of sameness. 

Physical: means the same material body or continuous physical substance persists over time. 

Moral: means something is considered the same for purposes of responsibility, ownership, or moral evaluation.

Briefly explain the difference between a logical and a real distinction.

Real distinction: A real distinction exists in reality itself, independently of how the mind thinks. Two things are really distinct when they can exist separately or have separable acts of being. 

Logical distinction: A logical distinction exists only in the mind, not in the thing itself. Two aspects are logically distinct when the mind can conceive them separately, even though they are not separate in reality.

State the principle of causality.

Whatever comes into being must have an efficient cause

State the principle of proportionate causality.

An efficient cause must have whatever is required to get its effect.

Explain what an essentially ordered causal series is. Give an example.

An efficient cause of the effect must exist and be producing the effect for as long as the effect exists. (man singing a song)

Explain what an accidentally ordered causal series is. Give an example.

The effect can continue to exist even after its efficient cause ceases to exist. (man carves a statue)

What are the two kinds of beings?

Substance and accidents

What is a substance?

That which exists on its own, in itself, independently in some respect

What is an accident?

That which is an attribute of a substance and can only exist in a substance

Define change using act and potency.

The actualization of a potency, the movement from a state of possibility to a state of reality

What does it mean to say that all potency is ordered to act?

no potential exists in isolation — every capacity or possibility is inherently aimed at being realized.

State the third argument on Handout 1. This is the argument that concludes “Every being as a being is good.”

1. If x is perfect, then x is good. 

2. If x is a being, then x is perfect.  

3. ∴ 3. If x is a being, then x is good.  

4. ∴ 4. Every being as a being is good

Why is it not possible to give a strict definition of being or be-ing?

We define things by putting it into a larger class of things that contain it. But nothing is bigger than being so we can’t classify it.

What are the fundamental constituents of a being?

Be-ing and essence

How does be-ing relate to essence?

Be-ing relates to essence as act relates potency

How do a primary and secondary cause relate to the effect that they produce?

The primary efficient cause is the ultimate cause of the effect whereas the secondary cause can only produce the effect with the help of the primary cause  

Are things that are really distinct necessarily separable from each other?

No (think clay and shape of clay)

What is a transcendental property of being? Why is a transcendental property of being “transcendental”?

A property that belongs to beings insofar as it is a being. It transcends all classes of beings.

Analogy of attribution

The attribute is intrinsic to the primary analogate but extrinsically to the secondary analogate and only in their relation to the primary analogate. (Frank is healthy, Frank has a healthy complexion)

Metaphorical analogy

The analogous attribute belongs to one analogate in a real and literal way but not to the second analogate but only because it still makes it in some way like the primary analogate. (Granite is a rock- intrinsic to the thing, God is my rock- metaphorical)

Analogy of proper proportionality

the analogous attribute belongs to all analogates and yet is realized in them in different ways. (car and pizza are both good)

Does act in itself depend in any way on potency?

No

How does be-ing relate to a being

Be-ing is an act that makes a being a being.