Which of the following best reflects the essence of Thomistic moderate realism?

The essence of Thomistic moderate realism is encapsulated by the idea that essence is found within specific things themselves. This philosophical perspective, rooted in the works of Thomas Aquinas, posits that the essence of a being is not merely an abstract concept or an ideal form separate from the physical world; rather, it is inherent in the concrete entities we encounter.

Thomistic moderate realism indicates that individual substances possess their own unique essences, which are the defining characteristics that make those substances what they are. In this view, the essence is intrinsically linked to the existence of the being itself, meaning that to understand a thing's essence, one must look to that thing in the world, rather than to an external or hypothetical realm.

This understanding demonstrates a balance between realism and nominalism, affirming that while universal concepts exist (as in realism), they are ultimately rooted in and derived from the actual, tangible instances of those concepts. This perspective emphasizes the importance of real-world entities in exploring and understanding essence, which aligns closely with Thomistic thought.