The Thomistic Institute The Distinction of Essence and Existence | Prof. Edward Feser
Apr 21, 2024
Prof. Edward Feser discusses the essence-existence distinction, Aquinas' viewpoint, and objections to the argument. The conversation explores real essences in natural objects, object unity, and the role of essence in scientific realism. It also touches on Aquinas' argument for a first cause of existence and the influence of Platonism on analytic thought.
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Essence Versus Existence Are Distinct
- Essence is what a thing is and existence is the fact that it is, and these can be known separately.
- Knowing an essence (e.g., unicorn) does not entail knowing whether it exists, so essence and existence differ in reality.
Contingency Requires A Real Distinction
- Contingency shows essence and existence are distinct because contingent things could fail to exist.
- If existence followed from essence, contingent things would be necessary, which they are not.
Uniqueness Implies One Necessary Being
- Only something whose essence is identical with existence could be uncaused and unique.
- Because more than one such being is incoherent, contingent things must have essence distinct from existence.