Phenomenology and Metaphysics of Knowledge and Appetite

A) Phenomenologically

• I) Vital activity
• II) Relation between a subject and an object
• III) Intentional union

B) Metaphysics of Knowledge

• I) Condition: Proportion between the two opposite ends
  Proportion: They must have something in common.
• II) Image impressed in the subject by the action of the object
• III) Relativity (not relativism) of knowledge
• IV) The direct action of knowledge falls onto the object (not onto the image)
• V) Implies immateriality

Natural Appetite

• Proof:
  • (i) Principle of causality: The operation follows the being.
  • (ii) Principle of finality: Every agent acts for an end.
• Origin:
  • 1. Far principle: Nature’s Creator
  • 2. Close principle: The form
• Value:
  • Natural appetite cannot be wrong: it is necessarily right, because it is natural.
  • A natural desire cannot be in vain.

Happiness

• 1. Something worthy in itself
• 2. Complete satisfaction
• 3. Eliminate all evil
• 4. Not be lost once achieved

The only absolute good is God because He is absolute.

Elicited Appetite

Difference with natural appetite: The knowing subject, beyond his own form, holds the form of the object.

• Value: Since knowledge may be wrong (whatever may seem good may not be truly good), the tendency may be wrong as well.

Sensible Appetite

All love implies hating something.

1. Concept

It is the tendency towards a good or love for this good.

• Is an elicited appetite.
• This tendency is ecstatic and selfish.
• It projects a subject to an object that he likes, but the subject desires and wishes to have the good for his own.

2. Classification of the Appetites

Concupiscible appetite // Irascible appetite

3. Passions

• a. Concept: “Movements of the appetites”
• b. Elements: Physical modification, knowledge, and appetite in itself.
• c. Classification:
  • 1. Movements of the concupiscible appetite:
    • Good considered in itself: Love
    • Absent good: Desire // Present good: Delight
    • Evil considered in itself: Hate
    • Absent evil: Aversion // Present evil: Sadness
  • 2. Movements of the irascible appetite:
    • Difficult good (absent) desire gives place:
      • Possible to achieve: Hope // Impossible to achieve: Desperation
    • Difficult evil: There is an obstacle.
      • Present: Anger
      • Seems possible to overcome: Audacity // Seems impossible to overcome: Fear

Animal Souls

• 1. Animals have a soul (only one).
• 2. One for each animal.
• 3. Animal soul is not spiritual: It cannot be intrinsically independent from the body.
• 4. Animal soul is generated and corruptible.
• 5. Animal soul is (sometimes) multipliable.