ABSTRACT

Traditionally, the options for fundamental forms of existence have been matter and mind or spirit. Physical existence can be ruled out for it entails spatiality, which entails finitude. But we cannot therefore infer that the one necessary being must be a mind or spirit. For a third mode of being has sometimes been proposed, that of ideal existence such as a Platonic Idea or Form. We, therefore, need to examine if such a conception is coherent and, if it is, if it entails finitude. In the absence of another conceivable mode of existence, only mental or spiritual existence remains. We must recognise mind as a mode of being distinct from, though capable of, accompanying and interacting with physical existence. The other error in what is called "dualism" is that of equating interaction with causation. It is sufficient to show that God is self-giving love, whether or not that includes all his other attributes and powers.