Catingub, Cherrielyn C.

BSN III C
PHILO 102

DOES EXISTENCE PRECEDE THINKING?

This reflection paper will discuss why I believe that essence precede existence. A can
opener is an object created out of an artisans inspiration underlying a particular abstract idea.
This indicates that the can opener is created through a specific notion in which one has a specific
function or purpose. It is impossible to think that a can opener can exist without having a specific
purpose. Its essence is already determined, ergo, we can confidently say that in whatever form of
any object, its essence is already determined. The role which the object will play is already
established therefore its essence precedes its existence.
I believe that God is the creator, the greatest artisan who creates man and already has his
purpose in mind while creating him. I believe that the essence of man is pre determined before
his existence. God is decisive and this suggests every reason that he has ultimate control over
everything. If we choose to have a child then we are already fulfilling what God had already
planned. He knows every path that we are taking or will take, so if we choose not to have a child,
He already knew you would come up with that plan and therefore still going in the same flow
with a certain predetermined course.
If I exist because I think is true, every time when I think I exist and when I do no think, I do not
exist.

I would argue that essence precedes existence because you can think of situations where essence
is possible without existence but not the other way around. For example, you can think about the
essence of a triangle being its various essential properties, such as two of its angles equaling a
right angle, without a triangle actually existing. Or you can say that the essence of a mermaid is a
human with fins. In the mermaid example, we would say that its essence does not imply
existence. On the other hand, everything that actually exists has an essence of one type or
another.