Folia Theologica 22. (2011)
Juhász Gábor Tamás: Equality and Inequality of "Christ's Faithful" from a Perspective of Philosophy and Theology of Canon Law
EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY ... 169 individual cases is impossible, because we cannot be certain of whether all the cases of the past and present in fact became examined. bb) Not complete deduction, in which we do not examine every single case, but only some of them and from these ones (no need for the word ones) we conclude (this next word to is not needed)to all the other. The two species of this are: a) Not complete, but sufficient induction, which from the examined cases draws conclusion for all the others with full certainty. This is impossible in all those cases, when we want to draw conclusions regarding the proprieties of concrete bodies, because to perform this we would have to change all the external circumstances of the individual body, which is theoretically impossible. ß) Not complete and not sufficient induction in which the examination of some cases results only in a probability. 4. What is the definition of science? Science is a system of intellectual knowledge justified by its final, intrinsic passive cause.23 This is so, because a firm knowledge can be attained only by deduction that is by drawing conclusion from the more universal concept to a less universal. Further, a more universal concept, regarding its comprehension, is the passive intrinsic cause for a less universal concept that belongs under it. 5. What is the division of sciences? They may be divided most profoundly according to the three stages of abstraction, because the most universal concept of each stage, the being, the quantity and the body, is the exclusive source of knowledge, and it is the integrating factor, or subject of science (subiectum scientiae) for scientifically knowledge.24 6. What are the perfect sciences and where is the place of philosophy among them? Perfect sciences are: metaphysics, mathematics and cosmology, because metaphysics is able to certify by its own means all its propositions by reducing them to the principle of contradiction; mathematics and cosmology do this with mediation with the help of metaphysics, but they approach the principle of contradiction in the way possible for their nature.25 Two of these three perfect sciences, metaphysics and cosmology, are called philosophy, because they are closer 23 S. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I q. I art. 1. 24 S. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I q. I art. 7. 25 Cf. Wallace, W.A., The Elements of Philosophy. A Compendium for Philosophers and Theologians, New York 1977. 191-200.
