Nature of Idea (cont.) According to Comprehension

Simple – when their comprehension consist only of one single attribute. Examples: being, thing, one

Composite – when their comprehension consist of more than one attribute. Practically, all other ideas are composite, like man, plant, animal, metal ,etc. Their comprehension is composed of a number of attributes. The idea “man” consists of substance, body, living, sentient and rational. Hence more than one attribute.

We also distinguish between: Concrete and AbstractIdeas are concrete when they express a nature or attribute inherent in a subject; but when the ideas express an attribute (considered by the mind) separate from the subject upon which it inheres, they are abstract.

A concrete idea always represents a thing as it is found in reality, such as man, house, horse, cow, substance, etc. Or the nature of white, small, tall short, etc.

These ideas become abstract when I consider them by themselves. Man is always an individual but humanity is abstract. White always inheres in a subject but whiteness is abstract. Animal is concrete but animality is abstract.

According to Extension Ideas are: Singular – when they represent a single

subject either by proper name or by class. Ex. Jose Rizal, my mother, this pen

Universal – when they represent a class as a whole or each individual of that class. Ex. Man, Every man, teachers, every flower

Particular – while singular applies to one and universal applies to all in a class, particular idea applies to neither of the two but only to some or a part of the whole.

Collective – applies to all individuals as a class but not to the single members of the class. Ex. Army, library, flock, herd, company

The Aristotelian Categories

The Aristotelian categories are ten in number. They are: substance, quantity, quality, relation, action, passion, when, where, posture, habit.

A substance is a being existing for and in itself, needing no other subject in which to exist. Ex. Dog, house, cat. It answers the question: what is this thing?

The rest are the modifications of the of the substance (material or immaterial) as it exists. They are also called accidents. An accident cannot exist unless it inheres in a subject.

Let’s go over them one by one.

The Five Predicables

Predicables are the different modes or ways in which an idea can be predicated of its subject.

Species – expresses the whole essence of the subject. Man is a “rational animal”.

Genus – expresses a part of the essence which it has in common with the others.

Man is an “animal”.

Difference – expresses a part of the essence of the subject which distinguishes one species from another of the same genus. Man is “rational”.

Property – expresses something which flows necessarily from the essence but not the essence of the subject. Man can “cook” food.

Accident – expresses something neither of the essence nor necessarily connected with the essence but contingently connected with the essence itself. Man has “two legs”.

Classification of Terms