I tried to post this before, but it vanished into a vacuum! Here goes again...if a vacuum is a space devoid of matter how can it exist? If this is our definition of a vacuum, in Thomism it would be equal to saying that a vacuum was a non-being, that existed (since I can perceive and measure it). Outer space is supposed to be a vacuum, with things in it. But how can a non-being have beings in it? In Thomism non-being is just a negation of being, and so does not exist. If outer space was a void then it just wouldn't be there. According to Thomas, then, non-being does not exist, hence since a vacuum exists, it cannot be a non-being - it must be a being of some sort. So outer space cannot be a vacuum. Am I understanding Thomas correctly - and is this right?
2006-12-19 04:14:15 · 4 answers · asked by sharbleitis 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Vacuum is an event of equalization and balance where matter shifts its placement in space. At least thats my 2 cents.
2006-12-19 04:28:22 · answer #1 · answered by visualmaximus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's pretty much right. A vacuum is MOSTLY devoid of matter. According to quantum theory, even a perfect vacuum has energy that manifests as virtual particles that come into being (in complementary pairs) and then annihilate themselves (turning back into energy) in very tiny fractions of a second. Do a search on virtual particles and see what you find.
2006-12-19 04:28:36 · answer #2 · answered by Philo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the definition of vacuum is not the one that most people use. The definition most use, as is the case with outerspace a vacuum is without air.
2006-12-19 05:40:22 · answer #3 · answered by weebles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thomas Aquinas was an idiot and Thomism is an ignorant philosophical viewpoint. Have you ever read "Summa Theologiae?" What a load of crap that thing is...
2006-12-19 05:42:58 · answer #4 · answered by jaden404 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋