Distinctions of Being
Subtitle: Philosophical Approaches to Reality
Publisher: American Maritain Association
Published: Jun 11, 2013
Language: eng
Format: paperback
Number of pages: 300
ISBN-13: 9780982711927
Description: What is reality? What are the diverse ways of being? Can God be known from nature? These and other quintessentially metaphysical questions are addressed in the newest volume from the American Maritain Association, Distinctions of Being. Metaphysics -- as conceived by Aristotle, extended by Thomas Aquinas, and given modern expression by prominent philosophers such as Jacques Maritain -- deals principally with the question of being, the basis of reality. This work considers the necessary distinctions at the heart of metaphysics, the distinctions between nature and spirit; the world and God; and the different forms of knowing in science, philosophy, and being. Divided into four sections, the book begins with a discussion of the key principles of traditional Western metaphysics, namely, form, truth, essence, soul, and being. The second part examines the existence of God and the relationship of human nature to God. Next, metaphysical themes in the work of Jacques Maritain are discussed, with particular attention given to his notion of the intuition of being. The final section sheds light on the standing of modern science with respect to natural philosophy and religious faith.
Notes: Source title: Distinctions of Being: Philosophical Approaches to Reality (American Maritain Association Publications)