The Soul and Its Powers: Aquinas Contra Aristotle
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
International Philosophical Quarterly
Publication Date
9-2024
Abstract/ Summary
The Aristotelian view on the relation of the soul to its powers, as presented in De Anima, holds that the forms of organic beings are actualities in potential to further actualities. This view seems to conflict with his treatment of form in Metaphysics and other parts of De Anima, and so leaves us with the problem of the unity and actuality of the soul as form. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica holds a view on this topic differing from that of Aristotle. We see that Aquinas says powers are proper attributes of the soul. This view preserves the unity and causality of form. Aquinas is defended, especially through an elucidation of how proper attributes relate to the substantial form giving rise to them.