MODALITY. The way in which something has being, or any modification of something. In Christian philosophy, following St. Thomas Aquinas, modes are the transcendentals, that is, those aspects which are common to all things whatsoever, such as unity, truth, and goodness. In Cartesian thought, modes are the inseparable attributes of substance, such as thought for spirit and actual extension for body. In pantheism, modes are the appearances of the divine in the physical universe where creatures seem to have a distinct existence of their own but are only manifestations of the unique reality of the Absolute. (Etym. Latin modalis, from modus, way, manner, method.)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are subject to deletion if they are not germane. I have no problem with a bit of colourful language, but blasphemy or depraved profanity will not be allowed. Attacks on the Catholic Faith will not be tolerated. Comments will be deleted that are republican (Yanks! Note the lower case 'r'!), attacks on the legitimacy of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ (I know he's a material heretic and a Protector of Perverts, and I definitely want him gone yesterday! However, he is Pope, and I pray for him every day.), the legitimacy of the House of Windsor or of the claims of the Elder Line of the House of France, or attacks on the legitimacy of any of the currently ruling Houses of Europe.