QUESTION 47
OF THE DISTINCTION OF THINGS IN GENERAL
(In Three Articles)
After considering the production of creatures, we come to the consideration of the distinction of things. This consideration will be threefold—first, of the distinction of things in general; secondly, of the distinction of good and evil; thirdly, of the distinction of the spiritual and corporeal creature.
Under the first head, there are three points of inquiry:
(1) The multitude or distinction of things.
(2) Their inequality.
(3) The unity of the world. _______________________
FIRST ARTICLE [I, Q. 47, Art. 1]
Whether the Multitude and Distinction of Things Come from God?
Objection 1: It would seem that the multitude and distinction of things does not come from God. For one naturally always makes one. But God is supremely one, as appears from what precedes (Q. 11, A. 4). Therefore He produces but one effect.