French philosopher and historian of medieval philosophy who argued that Aquinas's central philosophical insight — the distinction between essence and the act of existing (esse) — constitutes the greatest contribution to Western metaphysics.
Existential Thomism: in Aquinas, esse (the act of existing) is the most fundamental perfection — not essence or form but the act by which a thing is; this distinguishes Thomism from all Platonism and Aristotelianism. Defended the concept of Christian philosophy as a legitimate historical category.
Discussing
Ask anything about Étienne Gilson — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.