1. “ CONSIDERING ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE… AND ADMIRING BOTH PLATO AND ARISTOTLE” ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

2. Consider “essence,” as in: The essence of a “successful marriage” is based on unconditional love, unflappable trust, excellent communication, and a sense of happiness in being with each other.

3. ? What exactly is essence? The IDEA of an attribute or set of attributes that make something what it is For instance, we didn’t have a couple in a “successful marriage” in the classroom, but we have the IDEA of that couple.

4. Now, what is “existence?” The physical FORM that the idea assumes and that we can sense. For instance, we COULD have a couple in a “successful marriage” in the classroom. They could be seen, heard, and maybe even touched by us.

5. Now, based on this same example… May one assert that a “successful marriage” can exist?

6. Let’s process some more examples: What is the essence of a tiger? Does a tiger exist?

7. How about this one? What is the essence of a democracy? Does a democracy exist?

8. NOW, how about THIS? What is the essence of a unicorn? Does a unicorn exist?

9. According to St. Thomas Aquinas… A unicorn MAY exist. This is because “essence precedes existence,” and if one has the IDEA of something; then, it means it should have the potential of being sensed.

10. St. Aquinas Syllogism MAJOR: What I think about can exist. MINOR: I can think about God. CONCLUSION: God can exist.

11. ESSENTIAL IDEAS: The world is created by God and will someday end. The world was conceived in essence, before it existed. God’s own essence could not have preceded his existence, so he must be pure existence.