Notes about the "primum cognitum" in Cajetan and its link with metaphysics

Abstract

Cajetan had the main role in the intellectual debates of his era (16th century), being outlined as an authentic leader of thomism; indeed many of his theses became part of that doctrine, which –sometimes changed and sometimes not-remain in the present. Among the diverse topics that he confronted, it is very important his particular notion of primum cognitum. On this writing, we realize that the thomistic tradition has not seen major problems in comparing what Cajetan and Aquinas understand as ens primo cadit; however we can affirm that such comparison is problematic at least. In this sense, we will make an approach to the topic of the Cajetan´s first being known to try to show its real meaning. Likewise, we will try to consider, helped by the contributions of some contemporary experts –especially Lawrence Dewan’s–, if such notion corresponds or not with Thomas de Aquina´s theoretical developments, especially with the link between the first being known and the being as object of the metaphysics.