What did St. Thomas Aquinas contribute to the understanding of properties of things?

St. Thomas Aquinas made significant contributions to philosophy and theology, particularly in how we understand the properties of things. His distinction between essential and particular qualities is crucial for understanding how individuals perceive and categorize objects and concepts. Essential qualities refer to the fundamental attributes that define the identity of a thing—what makes something what it is—while particular qualities are the characteristics that distinguish individual instances of that category.

For instance, in the context of a tree, the essential qualities might include being a plant and having the capacity for growth, while particular qualities could involve specifics like the type of leaves or bark it possesses. This distinction helps in the exploration of metaphysical concepts and the nature of reality, influencing subsequent philosophical thought.

The other options do not accurately represent Aquinas's contributions. He did not solely focus on physical properties, nor did he refute the existence of qualities altogether. His ideas also do not fit within a dichotomy or trichotomy, as the focus on essential versus particular qualities provides a more nuanced understanding of attributes than a simple categorization might suggest.