An Interpretation of Existence
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As it reviews the significance of man and human life, philosophy has considered the concept of "existence" most recently through a system of principles found in the study of "metaphysics." An abstraction that can be interpreted many ways and which has been discussed and analyzed from the perspective of many philosophers through the ages, including Kant and St. Thomas Aquinas, existence is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "reality as opposed to appearance." Such words are narrow in scope and even meaningless, however, unless explored fully within some type of intellectual, spiritual and moral framework. Such is the attempt by Joseph Owens in his work, An Interpretation of Existence (1968). The purpose of this paper will be to review his book, summarizing its contents and presenting a clear understanding of its position on the concept of existence, particularly in light of linguistic considerations. Before beginning this report, however, it is important to recognize the position from which the author writes. As a follower of the Thomistic tradition, Owens ascribes to the principles developed by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 74), a professor of theology within the Catholic Church, whose philosophy has been applied to 20th century economic, social and political problems by many prominent philosophers. In his writings, Thomas held that theology and science cannot contradict each other since truth is indivisible. To prove this he set out to reconcile Christianity with earli
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ophical consequences, possibly the key to knowledge (p. 8). "Will it not claim to be identical with freedom, with subjectivity, with God" (p. 8)? Such considerations of existence raise these types of questions, while the interpretation of the fact is basic as a metaphysical problem (p. 13).
Following this thought, Owens represents that grasping existence does not originate in the concept of existence (p. 14). Rather, it penetrates the mind through sensations, such as seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting existent things. And, they cannot perceive something that is nonexistent. However, the intellect can grasp both existent and nonexistent things: "In fact, lengthy and animated discussions of problems of essence versus existence stretch back through the past seven centuries of metaphysics" (p. 15).
Thus, there are two ways things exist, real and cognitive or through knowledge. They each provide a different point of view toward existence and each is radically irreducible to the other. Understanding how existence is grasped by the human mind is directly related to interpretation. If recognized as such and accepted that existence is grasped through a "distinctive act of intellection, namely judgment, it offers enticing pr
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Approximate Word count = 1540
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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