Accident

Definition

In Aristotelian philosophy, an accident refers to a property or characteristic that belongs to a subject but is not essential to its nature. Accidents can change without affecting the substance or essence of the thing. This concept is crucial for understanding the distinctions in Aristotle's thought regarding existence and categorization, influencing both his cosmological views and the later medieval interpretations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Aristotle distinguishes between substance (what something fundamentally is) and accidents (properties that can change), highlighting the importance of understanding their relationship.
2. Accidental properties do not define a thing's identity; for example, a person can change clothes or hair color without ceasing to be the same person.
3. In Aristotle's cosmology, understanding accidents helps clarify the nature of celestial bodies, which may have accidental properties like color and brightness without altering their essential natures.
4. Medieval scholastic thinkers adapted Aristotle's notion of accident to discuss divine attributes, arguing that certain qualities could be seen as accidental rather than essential to God.
5. Accidents play a key role in categorizing knowledge, as they help differentiate between what is necessary for existence and what can vary based on context or circumstance.

Review Questions

• How does Aristotle's concept of accident differentiate between essential properties and non-essential properties?
  • Aristotle's concept of accident differentiates essential properties, which define what a thing is, from non-essential properties that can change without altering the essence of the object. For instance, while a tree's structure and growth are essential to its identity as a tree, its color or specific leaves can vary and are considered accidental. This distinction allows for a deeper understanding of both natural phenomena and philosophical categories.
• In what ways did medieval scholastic thinkers utilize Aristotle's idea of accident to frame their discussions about divine attributes?
  • Medieval scholastic thinkers adopted Aristotle's idea of accident to differentiate between God's essential attributes, such as omnipotence and omniscience, and those that might be considered accidental, like specific interactions with creation. They argued that while God's essence remains unchanged, His actions in the world could display characteristics that appear accidental. This approach helped theologians navigate complex questions about God's nature in relation to human understanding.
• Evaluate how Aristotle's distinction between substance and accident influenced later philosophical thought, particularly during the medieval period.
  • Aristotle's distinction between substance and accident significantly shaped later philosophical discourse by providing a framework for understanding existence and identity. In the medieval period, scholars such as Thomas Aquinas integrated these concepts into Christian theology, using them to explore the nature of God and creation. This framework allowed for nuanced debates about divine attributes and the relationship between faith and reason, fostering a rich intellectual tradition that continued to influence philosophical thought well beyond the medieval era.

Related terms

Substance:

The essential nature of a thing that defines what it is, independent of its accidental properties.

Essence:

The fundamental characteristics that make something what it is; what something must have to be classified as that thing.

Form and Matter:

The two components of substance in Aristotelian thought, where form represents the essence and matter represents the physical aspect.