Distinction
Distinction
(in Scholasticism) Consists in this, that one thing is not another.
Absolute- There is an absolute distinction between two things when neither one is a mode of the other, e.g. that between a stone and gold. A modal distinction is a distinction between a thing and its mode, e.g. that between a body and its shape.
Adequate- A distinction between two whole beings, e.g. between the sun and the moon. An inadequate distinction is a distinction between a whole being and its part, e.g. between the hand and one of its fingers.
Of the reasoning reason (rationis ratiocinantts) . A distinction in which our mind conceives things as distinct when there is no foundation in reality for making such a distinction, the whole distinction is dependent upon the one reasoning. E.g. when in one and the same thing we conceive the nature of subject and predicate as diverse attributes, as when we sayman is man, or when we conceive the same thing through synonymous concepts, as if we sayman is a rational animal, as though we are distinguishing man from rational animal.
Of the reasoned reason (rationis ratiocinatae)A distinction in which our mind conceives as distinct things that are not really distinct, when there is some foundation in reality for making such a distinction, e.g. perfections of God.
Real- A distinction belonging to a thing independently of the operation of the intellect, as that between the soul and body of man. A mental distinction (distinctio rationis) is one belonging to things through the operation of the intellect conceiving as distinct those things which are not really distinct, e.g. that between the attributes of God. — H.G.