Book contents
- AQUINAS ON METAPHYSICS AS A SCIENCE
- AQUINAS ON METAPHYSICS AS A SCIENCE
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Notes on Editions and Translations
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1The Problem of the Leaky Hull
- Chapter 2Aquinas on Scientia
- Chapter 3Aquinas on the Subject of Metaphysics
- Chapter 4Aquinas on Metaphysical Properties
- Chapter 5Aquinas on Metaphysical Principles
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
Chapter 2 - Aquinas on Scientia
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 August 2026
Book contents
- AQUINAS ON METAPHYSICS AS A SCIENCE
- AQUINAS ON METAPHYSICS AS A SCIENCE
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Notes on Editions and Translations
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1The Problem of the Leaky Hull
- Chapter 2Aquinas on Scientia
- Chapter 3Aquinas on the Subject of Metaphysics
- Chapter 4Aquinas on Metaphysical Properties
- Chapter 5Aquinas on Metaphysical Principles
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
Summary
This chapter sets the stage by offering a general account of Aquinas’s understanding of scientia as a good habit of mind that has as its proper act the act of demonstrating. While the emphasis this chapter places on the psychological status of science and demonstration is somewhat novel vis-à-vis the secondary literature, the core claims it makes concerning scientia, quia demonstration, and propter quid demonstration are not.
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Aquinas on Metaphysics as a Science , pp. 29 - 69Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
Accessibility standard: WCAG 2.1 AA
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
The HTML of this chapter complies with version 2.1 of the
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG), covering newer accessibility requirements and improved
user experiences and achieves the intermediate
(AA)
level of WCAG compliance, covering a wider range of accessibility requirements.
Content Navigation
Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Reading Order & Textual Equivalents
Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
Full alternative textual descriptions
You get more than just short alt text: you have comprehensive text equivalents, transcripts, captions, or audio descriptions for substantial non‐text content, which is especially helpful for complex visuals or multimedia.
You get more than just short alt text: you have comprehensive text equivalents, transcripts, captions, or audio descriptions for substantial non‐text content, which is especially helpful for complex visuals or multimedia.
Visual Accessibility
Use of colour is not sole means of conveying information
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
Structural and Technical Features
ARIA roles provided
You gain clarity from ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes, as they help assistive technologies interpret how each part of the content functions.
You gain clarity from ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes, as they help assistive technologies interpret how each part of the content functions.