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Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		BEING AND EXISTENCE A Brief Introduction into the Nature of Reality by Jonathan Dolhenty, Ph.D. PART FOUR The Supreme Principles of Being A principle is that from which something else proceeds in any way whatever. The supreme principles of being are those highest principles which are immediately derived from the concept of being. These are important for us to understand as we proceed with our study of metaphysics. These principles cannot, strictly speaking, be proved. Deny them, however, and all rational discussion must cease. There is no point in debating the truth of these metaphysical principles of being. They are, simply and unequivocally, true. The principle of identity tells us that whatever is, is. Furthermore, it tells us that whatever is not, is not. Everything is what it is and everything is its own being. Put simply: being is being and non-being is non-being. The principle of contradiction tells us that it is impossible for a thing to be and not to be at the same time (within the same "context"). A being cannot be and not be some being at the same time. It should be kept in mind that "at the same time" implies "in the same respect" or "from the same point of view." The principle of excluded middle tells us that a being either is or is not. Every being must either be or not be. There is no middle ground between being and non-being; no middle being is possible. The principle of sufficient reason tells us that nothing exists without a sufficient reason. Every being must have a sufficient reason for its being and existence. The most important and fundamental of these principles is the principle of contradiction. This stands to reason since the principles of excluded middle and sufficient reason are a development of the principle of contradiction. Furthermore, the principle of identity is simply another way of expressing the principle of contradiction. We can say, therefore, that the principle of contradiction is the basic principle of being.   THE SUPREME PRINCIPLES OF BEING Identity Non-Contradiction Excluded Middle Sufficient Reason   PREVIOUS- NEXT Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials Main Page & Index
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