Über das Verhältnis allgemeiner und individueller materieller und mathematischer Gegenstände nach Thomas von Aquin

Author: Krause, Andrej

Source: Vivarium, Volume 46, Number 2, 2008 , pp. 155-174(20)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

This article examines one aspect of Thomas Aquinas' understanding of abstraction. It shows in which way, according to Aquinas, universal material objects and individual material objects are the starting point for mathematical objects. It comes to the conclusion that for Aquinas there are not only universal mathematical objects (circle, line), but also individual mathematical objects (this circle, that line). Universal mathematical objects are properties of universal material objects and individual mathematical objects are properties of individual material objects. One type of abstractio formae leads from individual material objects to universal mathematical objects, a second type from universal material objects to universal mathematical objects, and a third type from individual material objects to individual mathematical objects. Therefore, the concept of abstractio formae is ambiguous.

Keywords: INDIVIDUAL MATERIAL OBJECTS; UNIVERSAL MATERIAL OBJECTS; INDIVIDUAL MATHEMATICAL OBJECTS; UNIVERSAL MATHEMATICAL OBJECTS; ABSTRACTIO FORMAE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853407X246090

Affiliations: 1: Seminar für Philosophie, Universität Halle-Wittenberg

Publication date: 2008-05-01