Several of our foregoing factors bring credence on the assertion you to metaphor is actually a keen analogous identity. This is substantiated by the St Thomas’ processes at issue thirteen regarding this new Prima Pars , since the inside the post around three, when he requires if any name is told you properly of Jesus, the resistance put into enjoy is anywhere between usage proprie and you can improprie toward second known having metaphor. After that, inside the post half dozen, as he requires when the labels common so you can God and pets try first told you from animals, the fresh new huge difference proprie/improprie appears to be an effective subdivision off analogous term. St Thomas begins of the saying that “in omnibus nominibus quae de- pluribus analogice dicuntur, necesse est quod omnia dicuntur per respectum post unum: mais aussi ideo illud unum oportet quod ponatur from inside the definitione omnium. Mais aussi quia proportion quam significat nomen for each and every prius dicitur de- eo quod ponitur in the definitione aliorum, mais aussi for each posterius de- aliis, secundum ordinem quo appropinquant offer illud primum vel magis vel minus.” It is exemplified by old reliable, “suit.” “Sic ergo omni nomina quae metaphorice de- Deo dicuntur each prius de- creaturis dicuntur quam de- Deo: quia dicta de- Deo, nihil aliud significant quam similitudines ad tales creaturas.” St. Thomas notices the latest resemblance of proportion ( similitudo proportionum ) designed into the “smiling meadow” and also in contacting Goodness a good lion.
As he goes on to talk out-of other labels “quae low metaphorice dicuntur de- Deo,” the brand new obvious impact would be the fact he could be talking away from other times out-of analogous brands than just metaphors
Have there been messages where St Thomas opposes metaphor and you may analogy? Whenever we consider the latest responses towards the Metaphysics , we find St Thomas determining “potency” with the analogous and you will equivocal modes. “Potency” mode unique. “Sed ista multiplicitas quantum post quosdam analogiae.” Brand new equivocal settings regarding efficiency try exemplified incidentally we speak of 3 to the third energy and of new cube due to the fact power of the range. “Mais aussi propter hoc for every single quamdam similitudinem dicitur potens during the quadratum, sicut dicitur materia potens from inside the rem” Once again a beneficial proportionality observe. That these equivocal settings are indeed metaphors is clear on the synchronous passage in-book Delta for the posting comments about what St Thomas begins, “Ostendit quomodo potentia sumatur metaphorice.” Exactly why are these methods metaphorical rather than analogical? “His for this reason modis praetermissis, considerandum est de- potentiis, quae reducuntur advertising unam speciem, quia quaelibet earum est principium quoddam, mais aussi omnes potentiae sic dictae reducantur advertising aliquid principium ex lover quo omnes aliae dicuntur.” In short, St Thomas here opposes metaphor so you’re able to analogous spends away from a name because the latter and not the previous cover a reduction so you’re able to what is actually generally denominated by phrase involved whereas, is cheap essay writing service they you prefer pointing out, about text of your own Summa i felt a second in the past, the fresh metaphor was not distinguished on the expansion proprie on this foundation. Or perhaps is they the way in which of one’s mention of the what is actually principally signifed from the label hence distinguishes metaphor out-of analogy, need proprie out-of improprie ? Things called metaphorically are, after all, delivered to end up being similar to exactly what the identity securely stands for.
What we is seeking is some way of justifying the quite prominent variation regarding metaphor and you may analogy in a fashion that zero attract is made to Cajetan’s division out-of example for the attribution and you may right proportionality
An enthusiastic aporia have certainly emerged, thus, and its solution are only able to be had of the deciding just what a good metaphor is and you can just what a keen analogous name’s. Methods to these questions would be to permit me to see the apparently contradictory statements of Aquinas.