Person vs. Being

[Eufrosnia]

Hello,

I have lately gotten in to some discussions where I have had to touch upon the issue of Person vs. Being.

I am not very sure on how to explain what is exactly a person and what is a being. I read in a forum thread elsewhere it being explained as “Person is the who and Being is the what”. That helped me a lot but I was wondering if there were better explanations as well.

Also, I have a hard time understanding the writings of Aquinas since he uses words such as subsistance, substance, accidents, hypostasis which I have no clue what they mean. Is there a good book to read to grasp these concepts first?

 

[GEddie]

All persons are beings, but not all beings are persons.

A “being” is an entity for which existence-- “to be”-- involves action, AIUI; such as the action involved in keeping alive. So an animal is a being, although not a person; while we would not consider a rock as a “being” even though it has existence.

A “person” is a being for whom existence entails interconnection with other persons. So a “human being” is also a “human person,” with one exception.

Our LORD is a human being, but a divine Person. His state of aliveness is human; His connection to others is as a Person of the Holy Trinity.

Just my thoughts. I am a nonphilosopher.

ICXC NIKA

 

[geekycatholic]

EWTN has a free audio series called “St. Thomas Aquinas in Today’s world,” which might be helpful. It breaks down complex theology into practical application (and explanation).

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=7078&T1=aquinas

As for an exegesis on the Summa, I don’t know a good one.

 

[Eufrosnia]

All persons are beings, but not all beings are persons.

A “being” is an entity for which existence-- “to be”-- involves action, AIUI; such as the action involved in keeping alive. So an animal is a being, although not a person; while we would not consider a rock as a “being” even though it has existence.

A “person” is a being for whom existence entails interconnection with other persons. So a “human being” is also a “human person,” with one exception.

Our LORD is a human being, but a divine Person. His state of aliveness is human; His connection to others is as a Person of the Holy Trinity.

Just my thoughts. I am a nonphilosopher.

ICXC NIKA

Thank you. I think your description of being helps a lot in shedding some light.

 

[Eufrosnia]

EWTN has a free audio series called “St. Thomas Aquinas in Today’s world,” which might be helpful. It breaks down complex theology into practical application (and explanation).

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=7078&T1=aquinas

As for an exegesis on the Summa, I don’t know a good one.

Thank you! I will take give it a listen. It might have some background to the material he wrote.

 

[GEddie]

Thank you. I think your description of being helps a lot in shedding some light.

YVW!!! Alleluia!

ICXC NIKA!