Summary
This book argues that human knowledge progresses through abstraction, moving from concrete experiences to handling abstract concepts. It distinguishes between the Associationist view of general ideas forming by blending impressions and the Scholastic view, influenced by Aristotle, where the Active Intellect spontaneously abstracts essential elements from concrete representations. This process is crucial for science and philosophy, allowing abstract concepts to be manipulated independently of immediate sensory data.
The text explores the nature and validity of abstract concepts, contrasting different philosophical perspectives on how they are formed and their relation to sensory experience. It examines the Active Intellect's capacity to form universal concepts, which are recognized through further observation and comparison, and how this faculty is defended by analyzing its results rather than its direct operation. The book also touches upon philosophical discussions concerning substance, accidents, and subjective categories of understanding as they relate to the mind's apprehension of reality.
Key concepts
- Abstraction — The process of generalizing from concrete objects by identifying common phases, leading to the manipulation of concepts independent of immediate reference.
- Active Intellect — A mental faculty, ascribed by Scholastics following Aristotle, that spontaneously abstracts essential, universal elements from concrete representations of things.
- Associationist school — A view that posits general ideas are formed by blending or fusing individual impressions.
- Universal concepts — Abstract ideas that represent elements universally realized in all members of a class, recognized formally through further observation and comparison.
- Substance and Accident — Philosophical concepts discussed in relation to the mind's apprehension of reality and the nature of being.
From the book
The first volume appeared in March 1907 and it was completed in April 1914, and was designed to give "authoritative information on the entire cycle of Catholic interests, action and doctrine". Supplement 1 included here. 42098 Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 Contents (not listed in original) Front Matter To the Knights of Columbus Preface Tables of Abbreviations Volume 1: Aachen–Assize Volume 2: Assizes–Browne Volume 3: Brownson–Clairvaux Volume 4: Clandestinity–Diocesan Chancery Volume 5: Diocese–Fathers of Mercy Volume 6: Fathers of the Church–Gregory XI Volume 7: Gregory XII–Infallability Volume 8: Infamy–Lapparent Volume 9: Laprade–Mass Liturgy Volume 10: Mass Music–Newman Volume 11: New Mexico–Philip Volume 12: Philip II–Reuss Volume 13: Revelation–St. Simon Stock Volume 14:…
See Priesthood, Jewish .For works with similar titles, see Abaddon . ← Aaronites Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) Abaddon by Anthony John Maas Abana → From volume 1 of the work. 89199 Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) — Abaddon Anthony John Maas Abaddon , a Hebrew word signifying (1) ruin, destruction (Job, xxxi, 12); (2) place of destruction; the Abyss, realm of the dead (Job, xxvi, 6; Prov., xv, 11); (3) it occurs personified (Apoc., ix, 11) as Ἀββαδών , and is rendered in Greek by Ἀπολλυών , denoting the angel-prince of hell, the minister of death and author of havoc on earth. The Vulgate renders the Greek Apollyon by the Latin Exterminans (that is, "Destroyer"). The identity of Abaddon with Asmodeus, the demon of impurity, has been asserted, but not proved. In Job, xxvi, 6, and Proverbs, xv,…
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