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TULASI-PRAJNA, March, 1990
Scholasticism
We find an elaborate discussion of space in scholasticism, which is based on the philosophy of Aristotle. Famous exponent of scholasticism, James Mcwilliams proposes the following thesis on space : "Space is abstract extension considered as a receptacle for bodies ; hence space as such is a product of the mind, but with a foundation in external reality. Part 1(a) Space is a abstract extension.
"Argument. Expansion in tbree dimensions is a note which is essential to the common concept of space, while other properties such as colour, resistance, temperature, or forces of any kind, do not enter into the concept. But expanse represented without the other common and sensible properties of bodies is abstract extension. Therefore space is abstract extension. Part [(b) This extension is considered as a receptacle for bodies.
“Argument. That which is considered as filled with bodies or void of bodies, that in which bodies are said to be contained and move about, is considered as a receptacle for bodies.
But we so consider the expanse which we call space. Therefore space is abstract extension considered as a receptacle for bodies. Part II(a) Space is a product of the mind.
That is called a product of the mind which is represented as an existing being but which in itself cannot exist. But space as such is represented as if it were an existing being, whereas it cannot as such exist by itself. Therefore space as such is a product of the mind. Part Il(b) This mental product has a foundation in external reality.
"A mental representation is said to have a foundation in external reality when there actually exists in the concrete state something which corresponds to the representation, although it does not exist in the abstract condition in which it is represented by the mind. Now there exist bodies with the concrete attribute of extension, and it is this attribute which is represented in an abstract manner in the notion of space as such.
“Therefore space as such is a product of the mind with a foundation in external reality."13
In scholasticism, time, like space, is believed to be a product of mind. In the words of Mcwilliams, the thesis on time is as follows: "Time as such is not a moving body but is abstract motion taken as the measure of the duration of things ; hence time as such is a product
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