We are now in a position to
examine the doctrine of the
analogy of names. Since, as we
have already pointed out, the
analogy of names is for St Thomas
a kind of equivocation, it will be
well to examine in some detail the
logical doctrine of equivocation
and univocation. These matters are
discussed at the outset of the Categories
and they are numbered among
the considerations which have come
to be called the antepredicaments.
"Things are said to be named
equivocally when, though they have
a common name, the definition
corresponding with the name
differs for each."{1} This is the
first sentence in the Aristotelian
corpus and, like every statement
which follows, its meaning must be
carefully unpacked. The
translation given is not entirely
happy. The Latin rendering is as
follows: "Aequivoca dicuntur
quorum solum nomen commune est,
secundum nomen vero substantiae
ratio diversa."{2} Both
translations indicate that the
definition begins with the things
named and not from the name
itself. A recent book insists on
this in a rather curious way, and
its author would have us believe
that for Aristotle equivocation is
something of things and not of
terms.{3} It is Aristotle,
however, who points out that our
names refer to things
insofar as they are known,{4} and
when we are talking about
equivocals, we are talking about
something which happens to things
thanks to our mode of knowing, not
something which belongs to them as
they exist in
rerum natura.
Nevertheless, it is true that
Aristotle is speaking of things,
not of names, when he says,
"aequivoca dicuntur." This does
not mean that things are equivocal
apart from being known and named;
they are said to be
equivocal: dicuntur, et non sunt.{5}
If man with his distinctive mode
of knowing did not exist, there
would be no equivocals, that is
things named equivocally, But this
is quite obvious from our previous
considerations.
Things named
equivocally are said to have only
a name in common: as soon as one
goes beyond the name, there is
diversity, for the common name
does not signify the same
definition with each use. The
English here relies on our rather
loose use of
"definition,"something which is
avoided in the Latin ratio.{6}
A definition in the strict sense
of a proximate genus and specific
difference is not necessarily
intended by ratio
in the definition of
equivocals. Indeed, if it were,
the apparent purpose of speaking
first of equivocals then of
univocals would be defeated.
Aristotle is preparing to speak of
the ten supreme genera of which
"being" is said, not univocally,
but equivocally. And, since the
supreme genera cannot have
definition in the strict sense,
they could not be said to be named
equivocally if ratio
had the restricted sense.
Aristotle's
definition begins from things;
these things are said to be
equivocal; they are not equivocal
in themselves, but they are named
equivocally. Nevertheless,
Aristotle is not talking about
equivocation, but about
equivocals, about things named
equivocally. The Categories
divides these things, but not
things as they exist, for then it
would not be a logical work.
rather, the division is in terms
of the different mode of existence
(and hence of signification) which
things have in our mind. Things
are said to be equivocal or
univocal, then, because of what
happens to them due to our mode of
knowing.{7} This is the reason for
the distinction, mentioned by
Cajetan{8} and John of St
Thomas,{9} between aequivoca
aequivocans (the name)
and aequivoca aequivocata.
The latter are the things named,
and they are equivocal, not as
things, but as named. This is a
logical discussion.
There is a
difficulty which can arise in
trying to understand Aristotle's
statement that things named
equivocally have the same name.
What constitutes a name as a name
is the fact that it signifies
something. But how can it be said
that a sound which signifies
different rationes
is the same name? It would seem
that something designating the
merely physical aspect of the word
should have been used, so that the
Latin, for instance, would read,
"quorum solum vox est commune."
St Albert goes
into this problem at some length,
distinguishing between a first and
a second form of the name. The
physical sound, the vox,
is what is material, but the first
form to determine it is an accent,
a pronunciation, and, as written,
letters and syllables. This first
form of the vox,
is what is material, but the first
form to determine it is an accent,
a pronunciation, and, as written,
letters and syllables. This first
form of the vox
introduces something
besides the merely physical, and
the result of this formation is a
word or name. In this sense, St
Albert says, things named
equivocally can be said to have
the same name.{10} The idea is
that, unless the vox
has received the first form, it is
not apt to take on the further
form of signification, and, since
it can retain this first form even
when its significations vary, we
can say that the same name is
retained. It is of course
essential to the understanding of
the definition of equivocals that
the second form of the vox,
its signification, be understood
as well. In things named
equivocally, not only has the vox
received the first determination
of accent, letters and syllables,
but it is also taken as
signifying. The point is that it
signifies different things.
Support for this explanation of St
Albert can be found in St
Thomas.{11}
With regard to
the phrase in the definition,
"secundum nomen substantiae ratio
diversa," St Albert seems to be
the only one who has referred this
to the classical dictum: "omne
nomen substantiam significat cum
qualitate."{12} The ratio
substantiae is that which
the name is imposed to signify;
the quality of the name, we
recall, is that a
quo nomen imponitur. The
substance of the name is that to
which it is attributed, or that
for which it supposes; it
underlies the quality which is the
ratio
signified by the name. In things
named equivocally, therefore,
there is the same name, but it
signifies different rationes.
Aristotle
insists, in his definition, that
it is according to the name which
equivocals have in common that
they are said to be named
equivocally. Given another name,
it could happen that things now
named equivocally, could be named
univocally. It is according to the
proper signification of the common
name that univocals are said to be
such. It is because the common
name signifies different notions
that other things are said to be
named equivocally.{13}
What things
named equivocally have in common,
then, is the name itself; there is
simply a community of the name.
When one looks to what the name
signifies, it is found that now it
signifies this ratio,
now another different from the
first. Let this suffice for a
preliminary glance at things named
equivocally.
"On the other hand, things are
said to be named univocally which
have both the name and the
definition answering to the name
in common."{14} Once again
Aristotle begins from the things
named, and once again there is a
community of the name. But here,
in opposition to equivocals, the
community extends beyond the name
to the definition or ratio
signified by it. When a man and an
ox are named animals, they have
the name "animal" in common, but
that which is signified by the
name is also shared by each, and,
from this point of view, shared
equally. Both man and ox are
"animate sensitive substance." The
term "animal" is imposed to
signify what man and ox have in
common with a generic community.
The difference
between things named equivocally
and those named univocally is now
clear. The latter have a common
name and the ratio
signified by the name is common to
them all. In equivocals, on the
other hand, although they have a
common name, that name signifies
different rationes
as applied to them. A point of
extreme importance which warrants
repetition is that things are said
to be (dicuntur) equivocals
or univocals. In themselves, in
rerum natura, they are
neither, for in order to be
univocals or equivocals they are
neither, for in order to be
univocals or equivocals they must
be known and named by us. We are
talking about the things signified
insofar as they are signified. The
problem of equivocals is a logical
problem; the problem of univocals
is a logical one.
At this point
it is of interest to note the
fourfold way in which things can
be named. This is found in
Boethius,{15} who observes that
things are univoca,
diversivoca, multivoca or
aequivoca.
That is, they either have one name
which signifies the same ratio;
or they have different names which
signify different rationes;
or one thing receives many names
which signify the same ratio
(thus multivoca are
those things we
would say are named by synonyms; συνώνυμα is
Aristotle's word for univocals.)
Finally, many things have one name
which signifies diverse rationes.
It is with the latter, the
equivocals, that analogy is
numbered.
We have already seen that for St
Thomas analogy is a kind of
equivocation, but when we were
discussing the equivocals we said
nothing about analogy. We must now
return to the definition of things
name equivocally and see how it
leaves room for things named
analogically.. In doing so, we
will draw on the commentaries of
Boethius, St Albert and Cajetan
before turning to St Thomas. St
Thomas did not comment on the Categories,
but by referring the analogy of
names to the definition of things
named equivocally he explicitly
calls into play the doctrine of
Aristotle on this point. It is for
that reason that we have found it
advisable to spend time on that
doctrine; only by understanding
equivocation and its status as a
logical doctrine can we come to an
adequte understanding of St
Thomas' teaching on the analogy of
names.
Things are said
to be named equivocally which have
a common name, although they
differ with regard to what the
name signifies in each case.
Obviously things can receive a
common name which, as it is said
of each of them, does not signify
entirely different notions. The
clearest example of equivocation
is had when the notions are
entirely diverse, of course. For
example, "pen" used to signify a
writing instrument and an
enclosure for pigs is an equivocal
name. When, however, a cow and a
picture of it are name "animal,"
the notions signified by the name
are not wholly diverse. The
example of "pen" is one of pure
equivocation, that of "animal" is
not. In such cases as that of
"pen," it would seem that the same
name just happens to be imposed to
signify different things; it is
completely adventitious. We would
not feel, however, that "animal"
is imposed fortuitously to signify
the cow and its picture. True,
"animal" won't mean exactly the
same thing in each case, but its
meanings are not unrelated. Such
considerations as these are behind
Boethius' division (garnered from
Aristotle elsewhere) of equivocals
into those which are such by
chance and those which are such by
design.{16}
It is
interesting that commentators seem
unanimous in pointing out that the
example given by Aristotle in
defining things named equivocally
is not one of pure equivocation.
It is only fitting that it not be,
of course, when we consider the
purpose of the discussion for the
doctrine of the supreme genera.
The definition, then, covers
things named purely equivocally as
well as those which are not,
depending on whether the diversity
of the notions signified is
complete or partial.{17}
Where there is
only partial diversity in things
named equivocally, there must also
be partial sameness. The sameness
is had, St Albert notes, in this
that the name principally
signifies one of the equivocals
and the others inso far as they
refer in some way to what is
principally signified. He
illustrates this with the familiar
Aristotelian examples of "being,"
"medicine" and "medical." "Et hic
quidem modus vocatur multiplex
dictum secundum analogiam, sive
proportionem ad unum quod
principaliter in nomine
significatur."{18}
We might point
out here that Cajetan, in his
commentry on the Categories,
is quite explicit about the fact
that analogy is a kind of
equivocation. Having pointed out
that diversa in the
definition of things named
equivocally should be understood
as comprising both complete and
partial diversity on the part of
the rationes
signified by the common name, he
goes on to say that the example
given by Aristotle is one of
"aequivocatio a consilio seu
analogia."{19} It is precisely
here that he promises a separate
treatise on this type of
equivocation.{20} That separate
treatise was to be the De
nominum analogia and in
it analogy, which is a kind of
equivocation, unaccountably
becomes something metaphysical. In
turning now to the texts of St
Thomas, we will begin the study
which will enable us to see if
Cajetan was explaining
equivocation or employing it.
At this point,
we must reiterate that St Thomas
did not devote any separate
treatise to the subject of the
analogy of names. His thought on
the matter must be drawn from the
many places where he is discussing
the application of analogy, or an
instance of it. Because of this,
we should keep in mind what has
gone immediately before. There is
little danger that equivocation or
univocation will be considered
metaphysical rather than logical.
Analogy, however, is constantly
treated as if it were something
metaphysical. We are not here
concerned with other
interpretations of St Thomas, but
it should be clear throughout what
follows that the analogy of names
is something of logic. This is
obvious enough in St Thomas.
It was in
commenting on the example
Aristotle gives in the Categories
of things named equivocally that
St Thomas referred analogy to
equivocation.{21} Just as
Aristotle sometimes says that
"being" is predicated equivocally
of substance and the other
categories, so too he says that
"animal" is said equivocally of an
animal and a painting of one. In
both cases, St Thomas remarks, it
is a question of analogy. As other
commentators had before him, St
Thomas distinguishes between
things named equivocally by chance
and those which are not chance
equivocals.{22} Chance equivocals
are things which receive the same
name, but the name signifies
something entirely different in
each case. The most obvious
example of chance equivocals,
according to St Thomas, are two
men who receive the same name
quite accidentally.{23} Things
which are named equivocally by
design are said to be named
according to analogy so as to
distinguish them from pure or
chance equivocals.
As we have
already noted, St Thomas seldom
mentions analogy without
contrasting it with pure
equivocation and univocation. Pure
equivocation, again, is had when
several things receive the same
name which signifies totally
different notions or rationes
in each case. St Thomas' example
is usually "dog" said of an animal
and a star.{24}
Quandoque vero secundum rationes quae partim sunt diversae et partim non diversae: diversae quidem secundum quod diversas habitudines important, unae autem secundum quod ad unum aliquid et idem istae diversae habitudines referuntur; et illud dicitur analogice praedicari, idest proportionaliter, prout unumquodque secundum suam habitudinem ad illud unum refertur.{25}In contrast to pure equivocation, analogical signification entails a certain unity among the many rationes signified by the common name. Things named purely equivocally have a common name, but that is all they have in common, for as soon as we go beyond the name to the notions signified there is total diversity. This is not the case with things named analogically, for such a name involves an order among the rationes signified. There is diversity because the name signifies different proportions or relations or references; there is unity because these proportions or relations or references are to one and the same thing. The diverse rationes or definitions are attributed {26} to one and the same thing. The analogous name is one of multiple signification but that multiplicity is reduced to a certain unity because the name signifies many relations to one and the same thing. The example to which St Thomas returns again and again to show the multiplicity of the analogous name is "healthy." The term "healthy" can signify many things, such as medicine, urine, food. etc. This is not the chance multiplicity of things named equivocally in the sense of pure equivocation. All of these things are said to be healthy because they refer or are proportioned or attributed to the same health. The different relations involved are that of restoring, of signifying and sustaining health.{27}
It is well to
notice that analoga
dicuntur just as aequivoca
dicuntur and univoca
dicuntur. The contrast
between dicuntur and sunt
must be retained in things named
analogically just as it is in
things named equivocally or
univocally. As such, there is
nothing analogical in being a sign
of something else, or in causing
or sustaining it, anymore than
there is anything as such equival
about being a star and being an
animal which barks. The last two
are said to be equivocal (aequivoca
dicuntur) if the same
word "dog" is taken to signify
them both. So too a thing and its
cause and its sign willl be
analogates if the same name is
imposed to signify them all. Of
course, unless things are related
in some way we would not purposely
impose a common name on them.
Nevertheless, the question of
analogy does not arise in
discussing things as they exist,
but as they are
known and named. That is why St
Thoma compares the analogy of
names with equivocation and
univocation. They are all three
second intentions.
When things are
named analogically, the multiple
signification of the common name
can be reduced to a certain unity.
But, if this is the case, it would
seem that we are reducing analogy
to univocity. When things are
named univocally, the common name
signifies the same ratio
in each case. Does not the unity
of the many rationes
signified by the analogous
name imply univocity? The answer
to this lies in the different ways
in which what is univocally common
and what is analogously common are
divided.
Dicendum quod duplex est divisio: una qua dividitur genus univocum in suas species, quae ex aequo participant genus, sicut animal in bovem et equum; alia est divisio communis analogi in ea de quibus dicitur secundum prius et posterius; sicut ens dividitur per substantiam et accidens, et per potentiam et actum; et in talibus ratio communis perfecte salvatur in uno; in aliis autem secundum quid et posterius...{28}Things named univocally participate equally in the common notion signified by their common name. The notion signified by "animal" is "animate sensitive substance" and it is participated in equally by man and horse. In things named analogically, on the other hand, the common notion signified by the name is not shared equally by all the things which receive the name; only one of the analogates is signified perfectly by the name. The others are signified imperfectly and in a certain respect, that is, insofar as they refer in some way to what is perfectly signified. For example, the word "being" signifies "id quod habet esse." Of the various things which are named being, only substance saves the common notion perfectly. The other genera save it imperfectly, in so far as their rationes refer in some way to that of substance. Thus there is an order in the multiple signification of the analogous name. One ratio is signified perfectly and most properly; other rationes are signified less perfectly and less properly and with reference to the ratio propria of the name. Although there can be inequality among things named univocally, this inequality is not signified secundum nomen commune. The analogous name signifies precisely an inequality of significations, but according to a certain order. This is a difference on which we will dwell at length in our exegesis of a controversial text.{29} We can note now that this difference between things named univocally and things named analogically is brought out in a striking way by St Thomas in his commentary of the Metaphysics,{30} where he observes that the one to which the secondary analogates refer is "unum numero et non solum ratione." In things named analogically, one of the things is primarily signified, and others are signified insofar as they refer in some way to this thing. The unity of the univocal name, on the other hand, is solely due to reason. Man and horse are specifically different, but animal nature is something generically common to both. Animal nature is not something that could be numerically distinct from man and horse; its unity is due to reason alone. In things named analogically, the one which is principally signified is not an aspect of the secondary analogates, separated from them only by the operation of reason.
Analogy,
like equivocation and
univocation, is a way of
naming things. St Thomas
insists that equivocal,
analogical and univocal names
are each divided differently.
The equivocal name is divided
according to the things
signified; the univocal name
is divided according to
specific differences; the
analogical name is divided
according to different
modes.{31} Analogy is midway
between equivocation and
univocation.
Et iste modus communitatis medius est inter puram aequivocationem et simplicem vunivocationem. Neque enim in his quae analogice dicuntur, est una ratio, sicut est in univocis; nec totaliter diversa, sicut in aequivocis; set nomen quod sic multipliciter dicitur, significat diversas proportiones ad aliquid unum; sicut sanum, de urina dictum significat signum sanitatis animalis, de medicina vero dictum significat causam eiusdem sanitatis.{32}It is noteworthy that when St Thomas says something about analogy as such, his statements are always made in strict logical terminology. The emphasis is always on dicuntur as opposed to sunt, on ratio as opposed to the mode of existence which things enjoy apart from being known and named. The example of "healthy" which St Thomas so often employs is meant to exemplify the logical doctrine. Many things receive the common name "healthy," but they do not participate equally in the ratio signified by the name. The concrete term sanum is imposed to signify from sanitas which we will take to mean "that whereby there is a proper proportion of the humors." The ratio propria of the term is saved perfectly by one of the analogates, namely, animal; the animal is id quod habet sanitatem. The other analogates will be signified by sanum insofar as they refer in some way to that which perfectly saves the ratio propria; it is due to this reference to what the name properly signifies that they receive the common name.
Ad cuius evidentiam, sciendum est quod, quando aliquid praedicatur univoce de multis, illud in quolibet corum secundum propriam rationem invenitur, sicut animal in qualibet specie animalis. Sed quando aliquid dicitur analogice de multis, illud invenitur secundum propriam rationem in uno eorum tantum, a quo alia denominantur.{33}Only one of the things of which "healthy" is said saves the ratio propria of the term; only one of the things called "true" analogically saves the ratio propria of that term. This diversity of the rationes signified by the analogous name (e.g. quod habet sanitatem, quod causat sanitatem) is on the plane of the ratio and not as such on the level of things as they exist. Quite apart from the various examples which can be given of things named analogically, what is proper to this logical intention is the unity of reference to the ratio propria which is participated unequally, per prius et posterius by the analogates. This is a wholly formal statement concerning the analogy of names.
Dicendum quod in omnibus quae de pluribus analogice dicuntur, necesse est quod omnia dicuntur per respectum ad unum; et ideo illud unum oportet quod ponitur in definitione omnium. Et quia "ratio quam significat nomen est definitio," ut dicitur in IV Metaph., necesse est quod illud nomen per prius dicatur de ea quod ponitur in definitione aliorum, et per posterius de aliis, secundum ordinem quo appropinquant ad illus primum vel magis vel minus; sicut sanum quod dicitur de animali, cadit in definitione sani quod dicitur de medicina, quae dicitur sana inquantum causat sanitatem in animali; et in definitione sani quod dicitur de urina, quae dicitur san inquantum est signum sanitatis animalis.{34}This is an absolutely univeral rule of things named analogically and not, as seems sometimes suggested, a universal rule of the particular example of "healthy." Things which are named analogically are so named because of a community among them. This community is not simply one of the name, as is the case with pure equivocation, nor is exactly the same ratio signified by the name as it is predicated of each of them, as is the case with the univocal name. The analogous name names one thing primarily, and others insofar as they relate in some way to what it principally names. The rationes of the secondary analogates will express their reference to the thing which perfectly saves the ratio propria of the word. This is just what is meant by the analogy of names: hoc est, secundum ordinem vel respectum ad aliquid unum."{35}
The fact
that the analogous name names
one thing primarily is
manifested by the fact that,
if the name is used simply, it
will be taken to mean that
thing.{36} We have seen that
this thing is principally
named because it perfectly
saves the ratio
propria of the name
whereas the secondary
analogates do so only
imperfectly, that is, with
reference to what saves it
perfectly. There is no
question of such an inequality
among things named univocally.
That is why we must never
confuse the ratio
communis of an
analogous name (e.g. id
quod habet esse) with
the ratio communis
of the univocal name.{37}
Analogates do not participate
equally in the ratio
communis of the
analogous name. The ratio
of the univocal name, on the
other hand, is saved perfectly
and equally by all univocals.
It is the inequality among the
things named as named by it
which makes the analogous name
analogous; it names one thing
principally.{38}
The
analogous name is a name of
multiple signification, but
the multiplicity has a unity
of order, secundum
prius et posterius.
Moreover, this multiplicity is
one of signification, not of
supposition. "Nominum
multiplicitas non attenditur
secundum nominis
praedicationem, sed secundum
significationem."{39} The
univocal name has a
multiplicity of supposits, but
it always signifies the same
form. Supposition is attached
rather to predication than to
signification, to the second
operation rather then to the
first, as we indicated in the
previous chapter.
These
remarks are sufficient for a
preliminary understanding to
the analogy of names. We turn
now to the division of the
analogy of names and the
difficulties attendant on that
and subsequent discussions
will enable us to flesh out
what isthus far but a skeletal
statement on analogy.
{1} Categories,
1a1-2:
Ὁμώνυμα λέγεται ὧν ὄνομα μόνον κοινόν, ὁ δὲ κατὰ τοὔνομα λόγος τῆς οὐσίας ἕτερος.
{2} It will be helpful to have the
complete Latin text. "Aequivoca
dicuntur quorum solum nomen
commune est, secundum nomen vero
substantiae ratio diversa, ut
animal homo et quod pingitur.
Horum enim solum nomen commune
est, secundum nomen vero
substantiae ratio diversa. Si quis
enim assignet quid sit utrumque
eorum, quo sint animalia propriam
assignabit utriusque rationem."
{3} Joseph Owens, S. SS. R., The
Doctrine of Being in the
Aristotelian Metaphysics, Toronto,
(1951), pp. 49-53. But see his, A
History of Ancient Western
Philosophy New York, (1959),
pp. 297-8.
{4} On
Interpretation, 1613-4:
Ἔστι μὲν οὖν τὰ ἐν τῇ φωνῇ τῶν ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ παθημάτων σύμβολα.
{5} Boethius, In
Categorias Aristotelis,
Migne, Patrologia Latina,
vol. 64. col. 164B: "Aequivoca,
inquit, dicuntur res scilicet,
quae per se ipsas aequivoce non
sunt, nisi uno nomine
praedicentur: quare quoniam ut
aequivoca sint, ex communi
vocabulo trahunt, recte ait,
aequivoca dicuntur. Non enim sunt
aequivoca, sed dicuntur."
{6} Notice the similarity between
the various meanings of ratio
given by St Thomas in his
commentary on the De
divinis nominibus, lect.
5, n. 735,, and those given by
Boethius. "Ratio quoque multimode
dicitur. Est enim ratio animae, et
est ratio computandi, est ratio
naturae, ipsa nimirum similitudo
nascentium, est ratio quae in
diffinitionibus vel
descriptionibus redditur. Et
quoniam generalissima genera
genere carent, individua vero
nulla substantiali differentia
descrepant, diffinitio vero ex
genere et differentia trahitur,
neque generalissimorum generum,
neque individuorum ulla potest
diffinitio reperiri. Subalternorum
vero generum, quoniam et
differentias habent et genera,
diffinitiones esse possunt. At
vero quorum diffinitiones reddi
nequent, illa tantum
descriptionibus terminatur.
Descriptio autem est,
quaequamlibet rem proprie quadam
proprietate designat. Sive ergo
diffinitio sit, sive descriptio,
utraque rationem substantiae
designat." - loc.
cit., col. 166A.
{7} "Et dicuntur univoca per
oppositum modum ad aequivoca, res
scilicet univocatae in nomine uno,
ut res ipsa ad dici et ad sermonem
referatur, quia aliter non esset
logicum quo dicitur: quia res in
se considerata, non secundum quod
stat sub dictione, non ad logicum,
sed ad Philosophum pertinet. Et
ideo additur, dicuntur,
non dicitur univoca sunt.
- St Albert, In
praedicamenta Aristoles,
tract. 1, cap. 3. Cf. Cajetan, Commentaria
in praedicamenta
Aristotelis, p. 9:
"Signanter quoque dixit,
dicuntur'et non dixit, sunt', quia
rebus non convenit aequivocari ut
sunt in rerum natura, sed ut sunt
in vocibus nostris. Aequivocari
enim praesupponit vocari, quod
rebus ex nobis accidit."
{8} Cajetan, loc.
cit., p. 8.
{9} John of St Thomas, Cursus
Philosophicus, T. I, p.
478: "Sed quia non dicuntur
aequivocata nisi ratione
intentionis alicujus, quae dicitur
aequivocatio, et haec, ut statim
dicemus, non convenit rebus
significatis nisi ut subsunt
nomini, non vero conceptui
ultimato, ideo traditur definitio
per nomen, in ordine ad quod
sumitur intentio aequivocationis."
{10} St Albert, loc.
cit., cap. 2.
{11}
John of St Thomas directs our
attention (loc.
cit., p. 479) to Quodl.
IV, q. 9, a. 2:
"Manifestum est autem quod unitas
vocis significativae vel
diversitas non dependet ex unitate
vel diversitate rei significatae;
alioquin
non esset aliquod nomen
aequivocum: secundum hoc
enim si sint diversae res, essent
diversa nomina, et non idem
nomen."
{12} St Albert, loc.
cit., cap. 2.
"...et id quidem cui imponitur
nomen est significata substantia
ipsius; proprietas autem ejusdem
rei sive substantiae quae afficit
imponentem dum nomen imponit, est
qualitas significata per nomen."
{13} Cf. Boethius, loc.
cit., col. 165C: "Idem
etiam in his nominibus quae de
duabus rebus communiter
praedicantur, si secundum nomen
substantiae ratio non reddatur,
potest aliquoties fieri, ut ex
univocis aequivoca sint, et ex
aequivocis univoca; namque homo
atque equus cum secundum nomen
animalis univoca sint, possunt
esse aequivoca, si secundum nomen
minime diffinita sint. Homo namque
et equus communi nomine animalia
nuncupantur, si quis ergo hominis
reddat diffinitionem dicens,
animal rationale mortale, et equi,
animal irrationale hinnibile,
diversas reddidit diffinitiones,
et erunt res univocae in
aequivocas permutatae. Hoc utem
idcirco evenit, quod diffinitiones
non secundum animalis nomen
reditae sunt, quod eorum commune
vocabulum est, sed secundum
hominis et equi,"
{14} "Univoca dicuntur quorum
nomen commune est, et secundum
nomen eadem ratio substantiae." -
Categories, 1a6-7: συνώνυμα δὲ λέγεται ὧν τό τε ὄνομα κοινὸν καὶ ὁ κατὰ τοὔνομα λόγος τῆς οὐσίας ὁ αὐτός.
{15} Boethius, loc.
cit., cols. 164-5.
{16} Ibid. col. 166:
"Aequivocorum alia sunt casu, alia
consilio, ut Alexander Priami
filius et Alexander Magnus. Casus
enim id egit, ut idem utrique
nomen poneretur. Consilio vero, ea
quaecumque hominum voluntate sunt
posita."
{17} St Albert spells this out in
his prolix fashion. "Quando ergo
idem est nomen quantum ad ea quae
sint nominis in littera et
accentu: et id quod significatur
in nomine, non est idem vel aeque
participatum ab illis quibus nomen
imponitur, nec etiam proprietas a
qua impositum est omnino eadem
est, quamvis forte referatur ad
unum: tunc nomen est aequivocum,
quia ratio substantiae cui nomen
imponitur (quae est ratio
substantialis a qua nomen
imponitur) sic duobus modis est
secundum aliquid vel simpliciter
diversa: substantia enim aliqua
(ut diximus) est secundum aliquid
per modum quo rationi substat, cui
nomen ipsum imponitur quod est
nomen qualitas, est substantialis
ratio quae datur de nomine
secundum illud quod nomen est.
Quando ergo illa etiam non penitus
est eadem, iterum ratio
substantiae, hoc est,
substantialis ratio nominis
diversa: ita quod nihil rei cui
imponitur nomen, aequaliter
participant significata per
nomen." - loc.
cit. cap. 2.
{18} Ibid. Boethius
too speaks of equivocals by design
which represent and aequivocatio
secundum proportionem.
Cf. loc.
cit., col. 166:
"...secundum proportionem, ut
principium namque principium est
in numero unitas, in lineis
punctum. Ali vero sunt quae ab uno
descendunt... Alia quae ad unum
referuntur..." It is interesting
to see Boethius moving easily from
what could be called the
proportionality of "principle" to
proportions ad
unum and ab
uno. It is noteworthy
that Boethius distinguishes
equivocation secundum
proportionem from
that secundum similitudinem.
It is the last kind of
equivocation which he feels is
involved in the example given by
Aristotle in the Categories.
{19} Cajetan, loc.
cit. p. 10.
{20} Ibid., p. 11.
"Quot autem modis contingat
variari analogiam et quomodo, nunc
quum summarie loquimur, silentio
pertransibimus, specialem de hoc
tractatum, si Deo placuerit, cito
confecturi."
{21} Ia, q. 13, a.
10, ad 4. Why does the theologian
concern himself with the analogy
of names? Cf. I
Sent., d. 22, q. 1, a.
4, divisio textus
In seeming contradiction to this,
St Thomas elsewhere says,
"sapientis non est curare de
nominibus." (Cf. II
Sent. d. 3, q. 1, a. 1)
The theologian is concerned with
the meanings of words, in the
sense of the ratio
attached to this burst of
sound, that pile of ink. Thus, in
disputes as to whether the potency
in angels should be called matter
or not, it is the meaning "matter"
is thought to have which, in the
final analysis, matters - not the
vox
itself. Nevertheless, we should
bear in mind that the meanings
which have previously been
attached to a given vox
can make it a more adaptable
instrument for what the theologian
wants to say. But this should not
lead the theologian into purely
verbalistic disputes.
{22} In I Ethic.,
lect. 7, n. 95; cf. I
Sent., d. 31, 1. 2, a. 1,
ad 2.
{23} In I Ethic.,
lect. 7, n. 95.
{24} In IV Metaphys.,
lect. 1, n. 535; In XI
Metaphys., lect. 3, n.
2197; I Sent., d. 31,
q. 2, a. 1, ad 2.
{25} In IV Metaphys.,
lect. 1, n. 535.
{26} De principis naturae,
cap. 6, n. 366: "Analogice dicitur
praedicari quod praedicatur de
pluribus quorum rationes et
definitiones sunt diversae, sed
attribuuntur uni alicui eidem:
sicut sanum dicitur de corpore
animalis et de urina et de
potione, sed non ex toto idem
significat in omnibus tribus.
Dicitur enim de urina ut signo
sanitatis, de corpore ut de
subjecto, de potione ut de causa;
sed tamen omnes istae rationes
attribuuntur uni fini, scilicet
sanitati."
{27} In XI Metaphys.,
lect. 3, n. 2197: "In his vero
quae praedicto modo dicuntur, idem
nomen de diversis praedicatur
secundum rationem partim eamdem,
partim diversam. Diversam quidem
quantum ad diversos modos
relatiionis. Eamden vero quantum
ad id as quod fit relatio. Esse
enim significativum, et esse
effectivum, diversum est. Sed
sanitas una est. Et propter hoc
huiusmodi dicuntur analoga, quia
proportionantur ad unum."
{28} Q.D. de malo, q.
7, a. 1, ad 1.
{29} See below, chapter VI.
{30} In IV Metaphys., lect.
1, . 536. "Item sciendum quod
illud unum ad quod diversae
habitudines referuntur in
analogicis, est unum numero, et
non solum ratione, sicut est unum
illud quod per nomen univocum
designatur."
{31} I Sent., d. 22,
q. 1, a. 3, ad 2: "...dicendum
quod aliter dividitur aequivocum,
analogum et univocum. Aequivocum
enim dividitur secundum res
significatas, univocum vero
dividitur secundum diversas
differentias; sed analogum
dividitur secundum diversos modos.
Unde cum Unde unicuique generi
debetur proprius modus
praedicandi."
{32} Ia, q. 13, a. 5.
{33} Ia, q. 16, a.
6.
{34} Ia, q. 13, a.6.
{35} I Contra Gentiles,
cap. 34.
{36} Q.D. de ver., q.
7, a. 5, ad 3: "...dicendum quod
aliquid simpliciter dictum
intelligitur quandoque de eo quod
per posterius dicitur, ratione
alicuius additi; sicut ens in alio
intelligitur accidens; et
similiter vita ratione eius quod
adiungitur, scilicet liber,
intelligitur de vita creata, quae
per posterius vita dicitur." - CF
In
XI Metaphys., lect. 3, n.
2197: "Nam ens simpliciter dicitur
id quod in se habet esse, scilicet
substantia. Alia vero dicuntur
entia, quia sunt huius quod per se
est, vel passio vel habitus, vel
aliquid huiusmodi. Non enim
qualitas dicitur ens quia ipsa
habet esse, sed per eam substantia
dicitur esse disposita. Et
similiter est de aliis
accidentibus. Et propter hoc dicit
quod sunt entis. Et sic patet quod
multiplicitas entis habet aliquid
commune, ad quod fit reductio."
Cf. In I Periherm.,
lect. 5, n. 19.
{37} This is shown in the example
of the analogous name "principle."
"Respondeo dicendum quod idem
iudicium est de principio et de
origine super quam fundatur ratio
principii. Potest autem origo
considerari dupliciter: aut
secundum communem rationem
originis, quae est aliquod ab
aliquo esse, et sic una ratio est
communis ad originem personarum et
originem creaturarum, non
quidem communitate univocationis,
sed analogiae; et similiter etiam
nomen principii. Potest etiam
considerari secundum determinatum
modum originis; et sic sunt
diversae speciales rationes
originis et principii; sed hoc non
facit aequivocationem; quia sic
etiam secundum Philosophum I de
anima, text 8, animalis ratio
secundum unumquodque est alia." -
I
Sent. d. 29, q. 1, a. 2,
sol. 2. Cf. as well, I
Sent., d. 25, q. 1, a. 2,
ad 5: "...dicendum quod ratio
personae importat distinctionem in
communi; unde abstrahitur a
quolibet modo distinctionis; et
ideo potest esse una ratio
analogice in his quae diversimode
distinguuntur." See below, chapter
VIII, section 4.
{38} Q.D. de malo, q.
7, a. 1, ad 1.
{39} Ia, q. 13, a.
10, ad 1.
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