The Divine Attributes explores the traditional theistic concept of God as the most perfect being possible, discussing the main divine attributes which flow from this understanding - personhood, transcendence, immanence, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, perfect goodness, unity, simplicity and necessity. It argues that the atemporalist's conception of God is to be preferred over the temporalist's on the grounds of perfect being theology, but that, if it were to be the case that the temporal God existed, rather than the atemporal (...) God, He'd still be 'perfect enough' to count as the God of Theism. (shrink)

_The Divine Attributes_is an engaging analysis of the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from the perspective of rational theology.

This book begins with a careful taxonomy of divine attributes. It continues with detailed examinations of: divine infinity; divine simplicity; divine perfection; divine necessity; omnipotence; omniscience; divine goodness; divine beauty; divine fundamentality; divine will; divine freedom; etc.

The spotlight in the CSR discourse has traditionally been focused on multinational corporations (MNCs). This paper builds on a burgeoning stream of literature that has accorded recent attention to the relevance and importance of integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the CSR debate. The paper begins by an overview of the CSR literature and a synthesis of relevant evidence pertaining to the peculiarities and special relational attributes of SMEs in the context of CSR. Noting the thin theoretical grounding (...) in the literature on offer, the paper then presents relevant CSR theoretical perspectives that could be useful in conducting further research on SMEs. In light of this framework, the paper outlines the findings of an empirical study highlighting the peculiar CSR orientations of SMEs in a developing country context in comparison to some of their MNC counterparts. The study is qualitative in nature, capitalizing on a comparative research design to highlight differences in CSR orientations between SMEs and MNCs. The findings are presented and implications are drawn regarding the peculiar relational attributes of SMEs in the context of CSR generally, and developing countries more specifically, and how this inclination can be further nurtured and leveraged. (shrink)

Analytical philosophers of religion widely assume that God is a person, albeit immaterial and of unique status, and the divine attributes are thus understood as attributes of this supreme personal being. Our main aim is to consider how traditional divine attributes may be understood on a non-personal conception of God. We propose that foundational theist claims make an all-of-Reality reference, yet retain God’s status as transcendent Creator. We flesh out this proposal by outlining a specific non-personal, monist (...) and ‘naturalist’ conception of God, which we call the ‘euteleological’ conception of God, and then considering euteleological interpretations of omnipotence, omniscience and divine goodness. (shrink)

In this paper, I argue for a novel defence of the view that attributes are numerically distinct for Spinoza, which, contrary to paradigmatic objectivist readings, does not contradict his substance monism nor commit him to the view that the only substance has more than one essence. I show that Spinoza offers three overlooked arguments for attribute unity that are consistent with my interpretation. Next, I turn to the perspectivist interpretations of Spinoza’s theory of attributes, dominant in Spinoza scholarship (...) today, under which each attribute is one way in which the whole essence of the only substance can present itself to the intellect. I contend that my interpretation has two advantages over these readings: it can accommodate Spinoza’s arguments of attribute-essence symmetry and essence-modes proportionality. (shrink)

_The Divine Attributes_is an engaging analysis of the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from the perspective of rational theology.

The present paper aims to show that Ibn Sina’s (Avicenna) analysis of existence in modal terms and his theory of concomitance concerning God’s properties can solve the problems faced by those contemporary theories that are committed to a non-nominalistic and non-Platonic realistic framework. In doing so, it first analyzes three contemporary views on abstract objects, namely divine conceptualism, theistic activism and divine simplicity, then addresses the problems that they are confronted with, with a particular focus on the grounding problem of (...) divine attributes in God. Afterwards, it examines a prominent Mu’tazilite theory of predication, namely, the states (ahwāl) theory, as it foreshadows Ibn Sina’s solution to the grounding problem. Finally, it analyzes how Ibn Sina’s account of predication, which bears considerable similarities to the statestheory, can help the theistsolve the grounding problem without violating divine aseity or sovereignty, nor resulting in the bootstrapping problem. (shrink)

In this paper, I argue for a novel defence of the view that attributes are numerically distinct for Spinoza, which, contrary to paradigmatic objectivist readings, does not contradict his substance monism nor commit him to the view that the only substance has more than one essence. I show that Spinoza offers three overlooked arguments for attribute unity that are consistent with my interpretation. Next, I turn to the perspectivist interpretations of Spinoza’s theory of attributes, dominant in Spinoza scholarship (...) today, under which each attribute is one way in which the whole essence of the only substance can present itself to the intellect. I contend that my interpretation has two advantages over these readings: it can accommodate Spinoza’s arguments of attribute-essence symmetry and essence-modes proportionality. (shrink)

Accelerating advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have increased concerns about serious risks, including potentially catastrophic risks to humanity. Prevailing trends of AI R&D are leading to increasing humanization of AI, to the emergence of concerning behaviors, and toward possible recursive self-improvement. There has been increasing speculation that these factors increase the risk of an AI takeover of human affairs, and possibly even human extinction. The most extreme of such speculations result at least partly from anthropomorphism, but since AIs are being (...) humanized, it is challenging to disentangle valid from invalid anthropomorphic concerns. This publication identifies eight fundamentally unnatural attributes of digital AI, each of which should differentiate AI behaviors from those of biological organisms, including humans. All have the potential to accelerate AI evolution, which might increase takeover concerns; but surprisingly, most also have the potential to defuse the hypothetical conflicts that dominate takeover speculations. Certain attributes should give future AI long-term foresight and realism that are essentially impossible for humans. I conclude that claims of highly probable hostile takeover and human extinction suffer from excessive anthropomorphism and a lack of skepticism and scientific rigor. Given the evidence presented here, I propose a more plausible but still speculative future scenario: extensively humanized AIs will become vastly more capable than humans of making decisions that benefit humans, and rational people will want AI to assume progressively greater influence over human affairs. (shrink)

Samuel Clarke was by far the most gifted and influential Newtonian philosopher of his generation, and A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, which constituted the 1704 Boyle Lectures, was one of the most important works of the first half of the eighteenth century, generating a great deal of controversy about the relation between space and God, the nature of divine necessary existence, the adequacy of the Cosmological Argument, agent causation, and the immateriality of the soul. Together (...) with the other texts presented in this edition, it also provides the best introduction to Clarke's philosophical views, which, in addition to their intrinsic interest, are historically important for the light they shed both on the philosophical positions within the Newtonian circle and on the exchange between Clarke and Leibniz, the most famous philosophical controversy of the eighteenth century. (shrink)

Recent research illustrates substantial gaps between entrepreneurial intentions and behavior. This is a challenge for entrepreneurship promotion interventions that have primarily focused on stimulating entrepreneurial intentions. However, extant literature suggests that implementation intentions enhance the likelihood of acting congruently to the behavioral intention. Furthermore, theory also suggests the condition effects of situations and the perceived control over them. We therefore hypothesized that implementation intentions mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and action, while perceived family support moderates the movement from implementation (...) intention to entrepreneurial action. Using two-wave survey data from a sample of students at an African university, we measured two psychological attributes as important precursors of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intentions present before undertaking an innovations and entrepreneurship course. Implementation intentions regarding entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial actions, and perceived parental support for entrepreneurial activities were also measured 2 weeks after completion of the course. Our results demonstrate support for the proposed moderated double mediation model in which the effects of the two psychological attributes on entrepreneurial actions are explained via entrepreneurial intentions and implementation intentions. We further find moderation effects of perceived family support indicating that implementation intentions more likely predicted entrepreneurial actions in cases of higher family support. (shrink)

ABSTRACT Despite acknowledgment that character operates as a multi-faceted system of multiple attributes, few efforts have examined this system by investigating how character attributes may combine in profiles and how profiles are related to individual internal strengths and contextual assets. Using data from 552 adolescents from the Northeastern United States (Mage = 14.11 years, 60% girls, 56% identified as White), we identified five latent profiles including the character attributes honesty, humility, persistence, future orientation, and purpose (beyond-the-self life (...) goals). Three profiles were characterized by Low, Middle, and High levels of all attributes, respectively, the fourth profile by low levels of future orientation and persistence (termed Present-oriented), and the fifth profile (termed Aspirational) by low levels of honesty and humility with high levels of future orientation, purpose (beyond-the-self life goals), and persistence. The internal strength of intentional self-regulation differentiated between profile membership, whereas prosocial socialization from a known character role model did not. Limitations and future directions are discussed. (shrink)

Background: It is of importance to understand and communicate caring ethics as a ground for qualitative caring environments. Research is needed on nursing attributes that are visible in nursing leadership since it may give bases for reflections related to the patterns of specific contexts. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of crucial attributes in nursing leadership toward an ethical care of patients in psychiatric in-patient settings. Research design: The design of the study was (...) descriptive and qualitative with a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. Participants and research context: The study comprised focus group interviews with nurses working in indoor psychiatric care who participated after giving informed consent. Ethical considerations: Since the topic and informants are not labeled as sensitive and subject to ethical approval, it is not covered by the ethics committee’s aim and purpose according to Swedish law. However, careful procedures have been followed according to ethics expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: When identifying the thematic structures, analysis resulted in three major themes: To supply, including the following aspects: to supply evidence, to supply common space, and to supply good structures; To support, including the following aspects: to be a role model, to show appreciation and care, and to harbor; To shield, including the following aspects: to advocate, to emit non-tolerance of unethical behavior, and to reprove. Discussion: Leadership is challenging for nurses and plays an important role in ethical qualitative care. These findings should not be understood as a description about nurse manager’s role, which probably has different attributes and more focus on an organizational level. Conclusion: Making the understanding about crucial attributes explicit, the nurse may receive confirmation and recognition of crucial attributes for ethical care in order to move toward an ethical care. (shrink)

attributive/referential. Pragmatic intrusion.

In a single-iteration fake barn case, the agent correctly identifies an object of interest on the first try, despite the presence of nearby lookalikes that could have mislead her. In a multiple-iteration fake barn case, the agent first encounters several fakes, misidentifies each of them, and then encounters and correctly identifies a genuine item of interest. Prior work has established that people tend to attribute knowledge in single-iteration fake barn cases, but multiple-iteration cases have not been tested. However, some theorists (...) contend that multiple-iteration cases are more important and will elicit a strong tendency to deny knowledge. Here I report a behavioural experiment investigating knowledge judgments in multiple-iteration fake barn cases. The main finding is that people tend to attribute knowledge in these cases too. Ironically, the results indicate that the presence of fakes could prevent iterated errors from lowering knowledge attributions. The results also provide evidence that ordinary knowledge attributions are based on attributions of cognitive ability. (shrink)

Resilience is a key concept for understanding the sustainability of agroecosystems, reflecting their capacity to absorb disturbances, adapt, and transform under environmental and social challenges. I propose an integrated framework that combines socio-ecological attributes —structural and functional characteristics influencing system dynamics— with the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to analyze resilience in agroecosystems. The framework defines system dimensions as combinations of attributes and capitals, emphasizing cross-dimension interactions and feedbacks that can either reinforce resilience or amplify vulnerabilities. By linking ecological functions (...) with human agency, the approach informs the design of adaptive strategies, strengthens sustainability, and guides transitions toward more resilient and adaptable farming systems. (shrink)

For many contemporary theorists, one is morally responsible for an action or attitude just in case it is properly attributable to one’s deep self. There has been long-standing difficulty, however, in figuring out just what the deep self consists in. Two competing theories have attempted to resolve the difficulty: (a) the Humean approach, which locates the deep self in non-cognitive psychic elements like cares; and (b) the Platonic approach, which locates the deep self in cognitive, judging psychic elements like evaluative (...) commitments. Each approach founders on counterexamples the other approach handles well, though. This chapter develops an ecumenical solution: an action or attitude is properly attributable to an agent just in case it expresses either her cares or her commitments. The chapter motivates this pluralistic view through consideration of several cases and then thwarts possible objections of various defenders of a monistic approach. (shrink)

Scholars generally agree that René Descartes's God has no principal attribute. In this paper, I argue against this consensus. More specifically, I argue that Descartes's God's principal attribute is infiniteness qua ontological independence. Descartes's God is a res infinita in very much the same way as a mind is a res cogitans and a body is a res extensa. In order to make my case, I begin in section 1 with Descartes's account of principal attributes and argue that nothing (...) about this account precludes God's having one. In section 2, I offer a prima facie case for the view that God's principal attribute is infiniteness qua ontological independence. And in section 3, I consider several passages which reveal the central role ontological independence plays in Descartes's account of God's nature and other attributes. I conclude that Descartes's God's principal attribute is infiniteness qua ontological independence. (shrink)

İslami ilimlerin hemen hemen hepsinde eserler veren Taberî çok yönlü bir alim özelliğini haizdir. Kelâm konularında özellikle tefsiri ve akaid risalelerinde konu hakkındaki bütün bilgi ve rivayetleri verdikten sonra varsa kendi görüşünü de aktarmak suretiyle kelam alanında söz sahibi olduğunu hissettirmektedir. Bunu yaparken Kur’an ve Sünnetten gelen haberlerin olduğu gibi kabul edilmesini savunurken, buna uygun olarak selefe ittiba vurgusunu oldukça sık yapmaktadır. Kelam ilminin özellikle uluhiyyet konuları Allah hakkında konuşma temasını içermesinden dolayı dikkat edilmesi gereken bir alandır. Allah’ın zatı ve (...) sıfatlarına dair konular tabir caizse Taberî’nin özel ve dokunulmaz alanıdır ve kendisi bu alana rivayet dışında bir şeyin sokulmasına kesinlikle karşıdır. El, ayak, göz, yüz, parmak, gülmek, oturmak, gelmek, gitmek gibi Kur’an ve hadislerde Allah’a izafe edilen bu tür sıfatların insanlarda da olması; öte yandan bu konuda Allah hakkında bir antropomorfizme düşme tehlikesinden dolayı selef özellikle bu konularda susmayı tercih etmiş, te’vile şiddetle karşı çıkmıştır. Taberî de haberî sıfatları anlamada selefe tabi olmakla ve te’vile karşı çıkmakla beraber tefsirci ve dilci olmasını verdiği yetkinlikle de bu sıfatları nahiv-dil kuralları çerçevesinde açıklamaya da çalışmıştır. Bazı haberî sıfatlar hakkında sadece o sıfatla alakalı görüşleri aktarıp, bunlar hakkında bir yorum yapmayıp bir şey söylemezken bazı sıfatlar hakkındaki görüşleri aktardıktan sonra eleştireceği bir yer varsa eleştirmiş, savunacağı bir yer varsa da bunu açıkça belirtmiştir. Bu da haberi sıfatları ele alış tarzını göstermesi ve onun metodunu anlamamız açısından önemlidir. Bu çalışmamızda Taberî’nin haberî sıfatları ele alış ve anlama tarzı hakkında bir malumat sahibi olup onun bu konuda nasıl bir tutum içerisinde olduğu irdelenecek ve bir sonuca varmaya çalışılacaktır. (shrink)

This Handbook in the Islamic Philosophy of Science addresses several problems and issues of current nature in various fields where the philosophy of science becomes an important field of extensive investigation. The topics so included in such a wide-ranging field of study cover economics and society besides subtle areas of scientific studies. The totality of these disciplines is referred to as the socio-scientific field. The centerpiece of the socio-scientific field of study comprising the qur’anic approach to study such issues in (...) their generalized and specific studies is the Tawhidi law in the framework of the derived methodology of the Tawhidi IIE(θ(ε))-model. Diverse topics of the specific field of sustainability, sustainable development, the centricity of the qur’anic moral prerogative, and the formulation of the generalized theory of socio-scientific nature are the focus of study in this chapter. Certain areas of critical originality that have not been addressed in the literature of Islamic philosophy of science and in particular in the field of Islamic political economy are addressed using the universal and unique methodology of the Tawhidi IIE(θ(ε))-model. (shrink)

There is an ongoing concern about workplace ethics. Many voices say that our educational system ought to do something about it, but they do not agree about how to do this. By the time students reach post‐secondary education, they will have already developed a general moral sense. The concern is whether their moral sense is sufficient for ethical situations in the workplace. If not, post‐secondary education is expected to close the gap. In order to do this, educators need information about (...) what is missing. Educators can set clear, work‐related objectives and use classroom activities to reach those objectives based on an identification of these gaps. (shrink)

This paper explores the theoretical integration of the Tathagatagarbha Field (Buddha-nature) with Spinoza’s substance monism. By leveraging the physical framework of the Higgs vacuum condensate and the 'Quantum Jian-Da Protocol,' the author argues for a dual-field coupling mechanism that explains the manifestation of divine attributes within physical reality. This synthesis bridges the gap between Eastern ontological consciousness and Western rationalist metaphysics, providing a novel physicalist interpretation of the universal field of consciousness.

Perceptual representations pick out individuals and attribute properties to them. This paper considers the role of perceptual attribution in determining or guiding perceptual reference to objects. We consider three extant models of the relation between perceptual attribution and perceptual reference–all attribution guides reference, no attribution guides reference, or a privileged subset of attributions guides reference–and argue that empirical evidence undermines all three. We then defend a flexible-attributives model, on which the range of perceptual attributives used to guide reference shifts adaptively (...) with context. This model underscores the remarkable and dynamic intelligence of our perceptual capacities. We elucidate implications of the model for the boundary between perception and propositional thought. (shrink)

This article is about Abū Hāshim al-Jubbāī’s theory of aḥwāl (states). According to Abū Hāshim, the attributes of God are His states of being. One of the controversial claims of the theory of states is that states are neither existent nor non-existent. In this paper, I examine this claim in the works of al-Juwaynī, one of the later proponents of the theory of states. Some later Arabic philosophers argued that the theory of states implies that there is a middle (...) between existence and non-existence. In this paper, I demonstrate that this is not the case; nevertheless, the ineffability of states- in-themselves implies a contradiction. (shrink)

Theories of ethics that attempt to incorporate divine speech or commands as necessary elements in the construction of moral obligations are often viewed as vulnerable to a challenge based on the so-called Euthyphro dilemma. According to this challenge, opponents of theistic ethics suppose that divine speech either informs one of a preexisting set of values and obligations, which makes it inconsequential, or is entirely arbitrary, which makes it irrational. This essay analyzes some of the debates on the nature of divine (...) commands in eleventh-century works of Islamic jurisprudence. I show that Muʿtazilī jurisprudents advanced the view that divine commands were actions performed in time that had concrete manifestations, while Ashʿarīs argued that divine speech in general, and commands in particular, were eternal divine attributes. After exposing certain weaknesses in the Euthyphro-inspired objections to theistic ethics, I argue that the Ashʿarī idea of commands as divine attributes is a promising move for scholars interested in defending a divine command view of moral obligation. (shrink)

Modern societies increasingly show more egalitarian attitudes related to sexism and gender equality. However, there is still an important gender gap in wages and professions as well as in expectations surrounding male and female characteristics. Developmental studies carried out from an ecological perspective confirm that these influences come from the closest environments (mainly family and school) but also from more distant systems such as media or cultural values. As children are socialized in these norms and values, they increasingly internalize those (...) schemes and use them to judge others, to choose friends and playmates, and to construct expectations of them. On this basis, the aim of this study was to examine the degree of gender bias internalization in a group of Spanish children. Two tasks were applied to a group of 149 public school boys and girls (aged 4–9 years). Results showed that, already from an early age, the participants had internalized traditional gender roles, especially when asked to assign masculine attributes. Moreover, group differences were found given that boys seemed to be more aware of expectations surrounding masculinity and girls assigned the attributes associated with femininity to women more often than boys. Furthermore, a developmental pattern similar to one obtained in previous studies was observed. Younger children already apply gender roles as part of their increasing acquisition of knowledge in the social field, but there is a big increase in the strength of this bias as they grow older. Psychological and educational implications of these findings are discussed, especially considering that the male gender role seems to be more rigid and less malleable. In this regard, developmental and environmental studies should be considered when designing early intervention programs to reduce sexism and to promote equity in schools and families. As research has already shown what type of environments affect children’s acquisition of traditional gender roles, society must make an effort to promote more egalitarian environments that will serve as protective factors in their future psychological, social and professional development. (shrink)

The purpose of this research is to report findings from two studies that examined the effectiveness of a best example, critical attributes, and student practice on fifth-grade students’ concept and prototype formation. The first study compared the effects of critical attributes and a best example. Results indicated that students taught with a best example, a definition and a best example, or a definition and critical attributes performed better on achievement tests than did students taught with critical (...) class='Hi'>attributes. Furthermore, those students taught with only critical attributes failed to form a clear mental prototype of the concept. Study 2 compared the effects of a best example, critical attributes, a best example and practice, and critical attributes and practice. Results indicated that students who were taught with critical attributes and practice performed significantly better on the immediate and retention achievement post test than did the group taught with only critical attributes. Also, it was concluded that practice facilitated concept formation and prototype formation. (shrink)

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many emotional consequences for teachers, including feelings of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness. However, evidence on the prevalence of hopelessness and the associated factors in teachers during the pandemic is limited. The purpose of this research was to examine the prevalence of hopelessness in public school teachers and identify risk factors associated with it. A sample of 168 teachers aged 25–49 years participated in the study by completing the Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, the Beck (...) Hopelessness Scale, and the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The results revealed a moderate level of experienced hopelessness in teachers. Hopelessness prevalence was also significantly different across teacher gender, age groups, socioeconomic status, educational level, professional experience, and perceived social support. The results of a logistic regression analysis confirmed the effects of these demographic and occupational attributes on hopelessness by explaining ~71% of the variance in hopelessness feelings. Higher odds ratios were associated with age, socioeconomic status, and perceived social support, signifying the prominence of these factors in predicting hopelessness. The study contributes to identifying and screening teachers at risk of hopelessness in public schools and recommends promoting collegial/superior support as well as a positive school climate as the protective factors against hopelessness. (shrink)

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES IN AQUINAS IN THIS PAPER I discuss principally the claim of Aquinas that the divine attribute which is the formal constituent of the divine nature is es.'!e. I also discuss the consequent attribute of simplicity, with some reflections on this relation of consequence. I conclude with some remarks on philosophical realism in general, which I take to be the necessary background to this theory or, (...) as I argue, discovery. * * * In St. Thomas's Summa Theologiae we are confronted first, not with a study of the attributes of God, but with Five Ways of knowing that God exists. Strictly consequent upon this, there are then two basic movements of thought upon which, to mix the metaphor, the next structure after the Five Ways, that of the attributes, is laid. The first step is to find just one attribute which can be put forward as the formal constituent of the divine natura, its essentia (this will be the so-called metaphysical essence, since the real divine essence is one with the simple and hence constituentless divine nature). This is come upon through an immanent logic arising strictly out of conclusions reached through the Five Ways, and is in fact subsisting existence, ipsum esse subsistens, often called Being, confusingly, since this translates ens as well as esse. If it were not this there would be unexplained composition in God, at least between His nature and His act of existing. The second step is then to derive whatever attributes can be strictly deduced from this conception of God as subsistent esse, while a subsidiary step is to divide these into what commentators later called entitative and operative attributes. The first step identifies the nature of God with His aot of existing, 37 38 liTEPHEN THERON actus essendi, stressing that as pure ad He is not in any genus, not to be grasped in an abstract idea, even though the theory of the attributes must go on to say He is truth, is goodness and so on. The saving grace of these attributions, however, is that they do not imply limitation, even though it is a general principle of the Thomistic interpretation of things that form is what places a limitation on being, so that in being a man I cannot be an elephant. Of course the necessary infinity of these absolutely simple perfections entails that each of them is really identical with the divine nature, itself identical with His esse, His actus essendi. There can only be one reality in God, understood as the infinite. But my intention here is not to run through all the well-known arguments yet again. Thus that God, any God, must be subsisting Existence, I take to be well established. We can't have a divine essence capable of receiving existence, and for God to be love, say, He has first to be. I can make no sense of saying that this is merely chosen as appropriate to our way of thinking. I would rather say it thinks itself, once we 'let being be' (Heidegger's inspired definition of thinking). Of course God is not being identified with ens in commune, that almost cynical error of pantheism. God is identified with His own act of existing, proper to Him alone. Since this is, as divine, an act without limitation, we then go on to say that this cannot be an existence shared with any other existing, that God must exist in a uniquely eminent way, that that act of existing which He himself is, is transcendent. In the sense in which God exists, nothing else does, as the doctrine of analogy should bring out rather than obscure.1 Nonetheless, we need to enquire into the significance and implications of it being just existence which is the formal attribute 1 Cf. Leo J. Elders, Die Metaphysik de Thomas von Aquin, I, Salzburg 1985, p. 133: 'Das ens commune ist das geschaffene Seiende... Gott fallt nicht unter das ens commune: Er ist das ganz Andere, von dem wir wohl wissen konnen, daB Er ist, nicht aber, was Er ist.' THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES IN AQUINAS 39 of the divine nature, something to which both Kant and Aristotle... (shrink)