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Actus primus, orfirst actuality, is a technical expression used inscholastic philosophy.[1]
TheLatin wordactus means determination or complement. In every being there are many actualities, which are subordinated. Thus, existence supposesessence, power supposesexistence, and faction supposes faculty. The first actuality (actus primus) begins a series: it supposesno other actuality preceding it in the same series, but calls for a further complement, namely, the second actuality (actus secundus).[1]
But as the same reality may be called "actuality" when viewed in the light of what precedes, and "potentiality" when viewed in the light of what follows (seeactus et potentia), the meaning of the term "first actuality" may vary according to the view one takes, and the point where the series is made to begin. Primary matter (seematter and form) is a pure potentiality, and the substantial form is its first determination, its first actuality. The completesubstance constituted by these two principles receives further determinations, which are, in that respect, second actualities. Yet these may also be conceived as first actualities. Thus theextensive quantity of a substance is a first actuality when compared to theshape. Power is a first actuality when compared to action.[1]
This is the most frequent application of the termsactus primus andactus secundus. The former is the faculty; the latter, the exercise or function. To seein actu primo simply means to have the sense of vision; to seein actu secundo is to actually perform acts of vision. The modern distinction ofpotential andkinetic energy might serve as another illustration: the loaded gun, or the engine with steam buildup, represent first actualities; the bullet speeding to the mark, the engine flying over the rails, represent second actualities.[1]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Dubray, C. (1907). "Actus primus". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
