Aseity

Aseity
Aseity
The property by which a being exists of and from itself

Catholic Encyclopedia. . 2006.

Aseity
    Aseity
     Catholic_Encyclopedia Aseity
    Aseity (Latin a, from; se, itself: ens a se) is the property by which a being exists of and from itself. It will be easily understood that this property belongs, and can belong only, to God. When we look for the efficient, exemplary, and final cause of all things, of their existence, nature, and organization, we come ultimately to a Being Who does not depend for His existence, realization, or end on any cause other than Himself; Who has within Himself His own reason of existence, Who is for Himself His own exemplary and final cause. It is to this very property of absolute independence, or self-existence by nature that we give the name of aseity. This notion of aseity includes, therefore, according to our conception, a negative and a positive aspect; absolute independence and self-existence, which complement each other and form one single objective property. As is easily seen, the Catholic concept of aseity which represents God as absolutely independent and self-existent by nature, and, consequently, all-perfect without any possibility of change from all eternity, is altogether opposed to the pantheistic concept of absolute or pure being, which absolute or pure being evolves, determines, and realizes itself through all time. (See PANTHEISM.) This quality of independence and self-existence has always been affirmed of God under various names by the Fathers and Catholic theologians, though the word aseity itself began to be used in theology only in the Middle Ages. The only point disputed among the theologians is, whether this property constitutes the very essence of God. (See DIVINE ATTRIBUTES.)
    GEORGE M. SAUVAGE
    Transcribed by Tomas Hancil

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. — New York: Robert Appleton Company. . 1910.


Catholic encyclopedia.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Aseity — is a theological term, referring to the characteristic of being un derived (from Latin a from and se self , plus ) in contrast to being derived from or dependent on another, hence (a priori) predicable only of God in classical theology. Ideally,… …   Wikipedia

  • aseity — being by itself, 1690s, from M.L. aseitas state of being by itself, from L. a from + se oneself (see SUICIDE (Cf. suicide)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • aseity —    The word aseity comes from the phrase a se meaning from himself . The doctrine of God s aseity is the doctrine that God does not derive his existence or nature from any external source. Traditionally, it has been put somewhat more… …   Christian Philosophy

  • aseity — noun /əˈsiːɪti/ Being self derived, in contrast to being derived from or dependent on another; being self existent, having independent existence. He is Spiritual, for were He composed of physical parts, some other power would have to combine them …   Wiktionary

  • aseity — /euh see i tee, ay see /, n. Metaphys. existence originating from and having no source other than itself. [1685 95; < ML aseitas, equiv. to L a se from oneself + itas ITY] * * * …   Universalium

  • aseity — (Lat., by or of itself) The God like characteristic of being absolutely independent of other things. See perseity …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Aseity — A theological term for a being (i.e. God) which depended upon no other cause than itself. [< Lat. a = from + se = itself] …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • aseity — ase·i·ty …   English syllables

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  • aseity — /əˈseɪəti/ (say uh sayuhtee) noun Philosophy existence which derives from itself and from no other being. {Medieval Latin aseitas, from Latin ā from + sē oneself + ity} …  

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