Abstract

This chapter deals with Suarez's views on the causes of beings of reason. Suárez takes up the question of causes in section 2 of Disputation 54. His discussion is divided into three parts. First, Suárez argues that beings of reason can only have an efficient cause, though he then seems to qualify this claim rather substantially by allowing for other types of causes. Second, he argues that only the intellect can be such an efficient cause, though again, he then qualifies this view substantially by stressing the role of the imagination. In this context Suárez inserts an extensive and rather complex discussion of extrinsic denominations. He rejects the view that extrinsic denominations are sufficient causes of beings of reason. Third, Suárez discusses the question of whether and in what sense God knows or makes up beings of reason.

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