Chapter 1

In our chapter 1, we are oriented to consider the meaning of the concepts “being” and “essence.”

We should know that, as Aristotle says, being is divided in two senses i.e.

*being divided in the 10 categories; and

*being that signifies truth of propositions.

Being is then defined as something that can be divided into the 10 categories ; and as such, looking at
being in the second sense, positive statement are hence formed.

We can then talk of real and logical beings respectively.

The essence of a being is what makes it the way it is ; it is the definition of that thing, the cause of its
being, though some do not have essence.

Essence is also called quiddity, that comes from the meaning of the definition of the thing ; definition
by which the thing is classified in its genus and species.

For Boethius, it refers too to nature : something that can be grasped by the intellect.

Essence is mostly considered in the case of substances and not accidents ; since accidents depend on
their original being or substance, and are not beings on their own.

Two types of substances are then distinguished :

 Simple : God, Angels

 Composite : Man

Essence is in both, and composite are derived from simple.