Catingub, Cherrielyn C.

BSN III C PHILO 102

DOES EXISTENCE PRECEDE THINKING?

This reflection paper will discuss why I believe that essence precede existence. A can opener is an object created out of an artisans inspiration underlying a particular abstract idea. This indicates that the can opener is created through a specific notion in which one has a specific function or purpose. It is impossible to think that a can opener can exist without having a specific purpose. Its essence is already determined, ergo, we can confidently say that in whatever form of any object, its essence is already determined. The role which the object will play is already established therefore its essence precedes its existence. I believe that God is the creator, the greatest artisan who creates man and already has his purpose in mind while creating him. I believe that the essence of man is pre determined before his existence. God is decisive and this suggests every reason that he has ultimate control over everything. If we choose to have a child then we are already fulfilling what God had already planned. He knows every path that we are taking or will take, so if we choose not to have a child, He already knew you would come up with that plan and therefore still going in the same flow with a certain predetermined course. If I exist because I think is true, every time when I think I exist and when I do no think, I do not exist.

I would argue that essence precedes existence because you can think of situations where essence is possible without existence but not the other way around. For example, you can think about the essence of a triangle being its various essential properties, such as two of its angles equaling a right angle, without a triangle actually existing. Or you can say that the essence of a mermaid is a human with fins. In the mermaid example, we would say that its essence does not imply existence. On the other hand, everything that actually exists has an essence of one type or another.