Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 5.djvu/469

 EMS

409

EMS

immediately form a concept of a thing, even though perceived but once. Furthermore, in order to form the common image a concept of the object must have preceded; for in order to compare similar tilings we must previously have perceived their likeness. Xow, to perceive their likeness means to perceive some com- mon objective aspect wherein the similar things agree, while differing in other aspects. But this the senses cannot perceive; hence there must precede an intel- lectual perception of the note of agreement common to the objects represented bj' the images, i. e. a universal idea must precede the common image. The common image therefore doe.s not precede but follows the com- mon concept, whereof it is a sort of shadow. This is specially so in the case of the productive imagination, which re-arranges in new forms previously compared images and hence supposes reflection and judgment, operations which no sense can perform.

Sensism implies scepticism, (a) For if we do not immediately perceive external objects but onlj- our subjective sensuous modifications, then, since these differ with different individuals (e. g. the varying judg- ments of distance, heat, cold, etc., which varjnng judg- ments require intellectual correction whereof the senses are incapable), there could be no certain and objective truth, each individual would be the measure of truth, there would be no objective criterion of certi- tude, no universal truths, (b) In order to pass from a subjective affection to a knowledge of its object we must employ the principle of causality. Now, in sensism, either the concept of cause is not objective or cause is not perceived at all; therefore the principle of causality is cither rejected or is pronounced doubt- ful. Hence there can be no certitude of the objective existence of things. Hume was but logical when he deduced universal scepticism from the theory of Locke.

Sensism involves the destruction of all science, (a) Science is the knowledge of things in and by their causes; but the senses cannot perceive causes, (b) Positivists claim that by their method the sciences have made wonderful progress, that by employing observation and induction the laws of nature have been discovered. Now, observation of phenomena en- tails universal ideas whereby the phenomena are classi- fied under groups or species, while induction, to be legitimate and certain, postulates the principle of causality. Therefore the physical sciences suppose physical abstraction; the mathematical, mathemati- cal abstraction, the metaphysical, metaphysical al> straction (primitive, i. e. direct, and reflective; onto- logical, logical, psychological). The negation of univer- sal, necessary, immutable ideas essentially different from sensations means the destruction of even physi- cal science, a fortiori of mathematical and philosophi- cal sciences.

Sensism destroys the foundations of morality and religion. For, as sensists and positivists admit, their theories leave no proof of the soul's spirituality and immortality; of the existence of moral law, its obliga- tion and sanction in a future life; of the existence of God and His relation to man. Now, history bears witness that these truths are fundamental for man's religious and moral life.

Balmes, Fundamental Philosophy (New York, 1864); Maher, Psychology (New York, 1903); Ladd, Philosnphii of Knowledge (New York. 1S!>7): de Brogue. Le poxilift.-ime el la science experimentale (Paris. 1880); Mercier, Criti-riologie (Louvain. 1906); ScHMiu. Erkentnisslehre (Freibure im Br.. 1890); Kleutoen, Philosophic der Vor^eii (Innsbruck, 1878); WlL- LEM8, Institutioncs philosophic (Trier, 1906).

F. P. Siegfried.

Ems, Congress of, a meeting of the representatives of the German Archbishops Friedrich Karl von Erthal of Mainz, Maximilian Franz of Cologne, Clemens Wen- ccslaus of Trier, and Hieronymus von Colloredo of Salzburg, at the little town of Bad-Ems, near Coblenz, in August, 1786, for the purpose of protesting against

papal interference in the exercise of episcopal powers and fixing the future relations between these arch- bishops and the Roman pontiff.

The Gallican principles concerning the relation be- tween the bishops and the pope, which had been dis- seminated in Germany by Hontheim, the Auxiliary Bishop of Trier (1748-1790), in his treatise "De statu ecclesiie et legitima potestate Rom. Pontificis" (1763) under the pseudonjTu "Febronius", were shared by some of the most influential archbishops of Germany. The archbishops became confirmed in the position which they took towards the pope by the encourage- ment and support of Emperor Joseph II, who arrogated to himself both temporal and spiritual jurisdiction. As early as 1769 the representatives of the Elector- Archbishops of Mainz, Cologne, and Trier, at a meeting held in Coblenz, had drawn up a list of thirty-one articles, most of which were directed against the Roman Curia. The pro.ximate occasion of the Con- gress of Ems was the erection of an Apostolic nuncia- ture inMunich (27 Feb., 1785) and the appointment of Zoglio, titular Archbishop of Athens, as nuncio (27 June), with jurisdiction over theentire territory of the Elector Karl Theodor, which then comprised Bavaria with the Rhine Palatinate and the former Duchies of Jiilich and Berg. Pius VI erected this nunciature upon the urgent request of the Elector of Bavaria, who was loath to have parts of his territory under the spirit- ual jurisdiction of bishops who, being electors like himself, were rather his equals than his subordinates. He had previously suggested to the Elector-Arch- bishops of Mainz, Cologne, and Trier to appoint special vicars-general for their districts in his territory. Upon their refusal he requested Pius VI to erect sepa- rate dioceses for his territory, but in deference to the wishes of the three elector-archbishops, the pope also refused. Finally the Elector of Bavaria asked for the above-mentioned nunciature, and despite the protests of the archbishops his wish was granted.

Meanwhile Bellisomi, the nuncio at Cologne, was transferred to Lisbon, and Pacca, the titular Arch- bishop of Damietta was appointed to succeed him at Cologne. Maximilian Franz, Archbishop of Cologne (a brother of Emperor Joseph II), refused to see him, and none of the three elector-archbishops honoured his credentials. Despite protests, both Pacca and Zoglio began to exercise their powers as nuncios. Rely- ing on the support which Emperor Joseph II had promised, the three elector-archbishops and the Arch- bishop of Salzburg planned concerted action against Rome and sent their representatives to Ems to hold a congress. Von Erthal of Mainz, who was the soul of the opposition, was represented by his auxiliary bishop Valentine Heimes; Maximilian Franz of Cologne, by his privy councillor Heinrich von Tautphaus; Clemens Wenceslaus of Trier, by his pri\-y councillor and offi- cial representative in temporal matters, Joseph Lud- wig Beck; Colloredo of Salzburg, by his consistorial councillor, Johann Michael Bonicke. On 25 August, 1786, these archiepiscopal representatives signed the notorious " Punctation of Ems ", consisting of twenty- three articles which aimed at making the German archbishops practically independent of Rome. For the te.xt of the articles see Munch, "Sammlung aller alteren und neueren Concordate" (Leipzig, 1831), I, 404-423.

Assuming that Christ gave unlimited power of bind- ing and loosing to the Apostles and their successors, the bishops, the "Punctation" maintains that all prerogatives and reservations which were not actually connected with the primacy during the first three cen- turies owe their origin to the Pseudo-Isidore decretals, universally acknowledged as false, and, hence, that the bishops must look upon all interference of the Roman Curia with the exercise of their episcopal functions in their own dioceses as encroachments on their rights. Upon these schismatic principles the four archbishops