Are the senses enough?

Are the senses enough?

In trying to explain how God has an immaterial likeness of matter, I will have to explain how an immaterial likeness is related to knowing in the first place. Although sensation is a lower cognitive power, it should suffice for illustrating the otherness of cognition, how it is unlike the material reception of form, and how it receives a likeness.

The senses differ from the intellect, both in their object and their subject. The senses have organs as subject, the intellect does not. The senses have one or another sensible as their object, the intellect has all things. Yet they are alike in possessing an immaterial likeness. This is in a way obvious, and in a way completely surprising. What can one say to someone who does not grasp the transcendence of cognition? How will I explain in my paper? Am I prepared to do anything but just give examples?

Beginning the treatise on the Trinity shows the importance of understanding understanding if one wants some idea of the persons in God. Nonetheless, it still remains obscure. Matter then introduces further difficulties. A careful look at De Anima and a good nap will be very helpful.


Sent from my iPhone