Lexicon

Topic

Moral and Political Philosophy Aesthetics Christology Ecclesiology Epistemology Human Person Logic Metaphysics Moral Theology Philosophy of Nature

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Topic

Moral and Political Philosophy Aesthetics Christology Ecclesiology Epistemology Human Person Logic Metaphysics Moral Theology Philosophy of Nature

Participation
Possessing some reality or attribute in a limited way. E.g., creatures possess existence in a limited way and not in the unlimited way in which God possesses it. Creatures, thus, have existence by par...
Per Accidens
Latin term that can be translated as “accidentally,” “by accident,” or “not essentially.”
Per Se
Latin term that can be translated as “by itself,” “through itself,” or, in some cases, as “essentially.”
Philosophy
“The love of wisdom.” However, this very general definition has been understood in various ways. For Socrates and, to an extent, Plato, philosophy is either a preparation for a proper and detached d...
Principle
1. That from which something in some way proceeds. 2. More restrictively, that which in some way determines or constitutes a thing. 3. Improperly, principle is sometimes equated with cause.
Principle of (Efficient) Causality
The principle according to which whatever comes into existence must have an efficient cause.
Principle of Excluded Middle
The principle according to which there is no third possibility between being and non-being. Thus, something either is or is not.
Principle of Finality
The principle according to which every agent is ordered toward an end. It is sometimes formulated in the following way: every agent acts for an end or, in Latin, omne agens agit propter finem.
Principle of Identity
The principle according to which being is being, and non-being is non-being.
Principle of Likeness in Causality
(omne agens agit sibi simile).— The metaphysical principle according to which all effects have some formal likeness to their cause. This principle is sometimes expressed thus: every cause likens its...

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Topic

Lexicon

Topic

Participation

Per Accidens

Per Se

Philosophy

Principle

Principle of (Efficient) Causality

Principle of Excluded Middle

Principle of Finality

Principle of Identity

Principle of Likeness in Causality

Current Operations Supported by: