The Thomistic Institute

Aquinas on Nature and the Natural: Form and the Scale of 'Esse' – Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P.

Sep 30, 2025
Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P., a Dominican priest and philosophy expert, dives deep into Aquinas' metaphysical framework. He explores the distinction between essence and esse, highlighting how they shape our understanding of being. Discussing a scalar view of esse, he illustrates how this concept applies to all forms of life—from plants to angels. Raymund also connects Aquinas' ideas to ancient influences, emphasizing the unity of creation and the importance of a single Creator. His insights fuse philosophy with theology in a captivating dialogue.
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INSIGHT

Essence Versus Esse Distinction

  • Aquinas distinguishes essence (what a thing is) from esse (the act of being), and treats esse as the most fundamental act.
  • In creatures essence and esse are really distinct, while God is ipsum esse, being itself.
INSIGHT

The Scale Of Esse

  • Aquinas integrates Aristotle and Platonic scalar ideas into a unified metaphysics centered on esse.
  • He calls this a 'scale of esse' where creatures have varying intensities of being.
INSIGHT

Participation And Limitation

  • In creatures esse is always limited by essence, like gas constrained by a container, though the image is imperfect.
  • Essence and esse come into being together and are proportionate, not separable building blocks.
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