What is the difference betweeb 'a being' and 'an entity'?

[Qoeleth]

Can anyone define for me the difference between ‘a being’ (ens) and ‘an entity’ (entitas)?

But there is need for caution- ‘being’ (esse) is obviously something else altogether…

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Can anyone define for me the difference between ‘a being’ (ens) and ‘an entity’ (entitas)?

But there is need for caution- ‘being’ (esse) is obviously something else altogether…

This is just a rough guess, but I’d say that an “entity” is anything that has a standing under the law. For example, General Motors has a legal existence, it is an entity. The Catholic Church is an entity. A “being” would be a living thing, normally a human. Unsure if under the law animals, normally considered property, have the status of a being.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Can anyone define for me the difference between ‘a being’ (ens) and ‘an entity’ (entitas)?

But there is need for caution- ‘being’ (esse) is obviously something else altogether…

Entity is free from philosophical determination. IMO, Tarpeian Rock’s answer would also imply an existential distinction.

 

[e_c]

Maybe do a concordance search in the original texts of Thomas, then look at the English and see the differences in usage.

 

[GEddie]

To my mind, an entity is anything that has existence – a rock, a planet, an organization; whilst a “being” is an entity for which “to be” implies action – an example being the action of keeping alive. Hence “living being” and “human being”.

Even when aliveness in the scientific sense is not present because there is no organism or body, there may still be action: angelic being.

All beings are entities but not all entities are beings.

Caveat: I don’t speak German or Aquinas, therefore any correction of errors made is welcome.

ICXC NIKA