Aquinas on the real distinction and the twofold character of esse

Abstract

The article analyzes Aquinas? argument for the real distinction between esse and essence in De ente et essentia IV, in the context of accidental and essential character of esse in his metaphysics. All three phases of the argument are analyzed in detail and the defended thesis is that after third phase of the argument, i.e. after the proof that God is tantum esse is possible to claim that the real distinction is proved. In the last part of the article, on the basis of the conclusions of the De ente proof, the problem of twofold character of being is interpreted against the background of two kinds of causality, efficient and formal.