Define Concept of Participation in Aquinas’ philosophy.
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Define Concept of Participation in Aquinas’ philosophy.
In Thomas Aquinas' philosophy, the concept of participation is a key element in his metaphysical framework, drawing heavily from Aristotelian and Neoplatonic influences. Participation refers to the relationship between created beings and the ultimate source of existence, which, for Aquinas, is God.
According to Aquinas, all created beings participate in the existence and attributes of God to varying degrees. The concept is grounded in the understanding that God is the ultimate reality and the cause of all existence. Created entities, in their diversity and hierarchy, derive their being and perfection from God through a process of participation.
Aquinas distinguishes between two types of participation:
Essential Participation: This involves the relationship between a created essence and the divine essence. Every created being, in its existence and essence, participates in the divine essence to the extent determined by its nature.
Participation in Perfections: Creatures also participate in divine perfections or attributes, such as goodness, wisdom, and beauty. The varying degrees of these perfections in created beings reflect their participation in the divine attributes.
Aquinas' concept of participation thus establishes a metaphysical connection between the finite and the infinite, grounding the existence and attributes of created beings in the transcendent reality of God. This notion contributes significantly to his broader exploration of the metaphysics of existence and the nature of God's creative power.