simplicitas

Simplicitas is a Latin noun meaning simplicity, in the sense of being uncomplicated, plain, or free from duplicity. In philosophical and theological usage, the term is most closely associated with the doctrine of divine simplicity, where it denotes a fundamental property ascribed to God. The word derives from the Latin simplex, meaning one-fold or simple, with the abstract noun formed by the suffix -itas.

In scholastic theology, divine simplicity holds that God is not composed of parts, nor are his attributes distinct from his essence. God’s existence and essence are identical, and God’s attributes are not separate, accessory features but perfectly united with the divine nature. This stance is intended to preserve the unity of the divine being and to explain God’s indivisibility and maximal perfection. The doctrine has been central to discussions of omnipotence, omniscience, and immutability, and figures such as Augustine, Anselm, and Thomas Aquinas contributed to its development. Some later critics have pressed on potential tensions between divine simplicity and other theological or philosophical claims, prompting ongoing debates within the tradition.

Beyond theology, simplicitas also appears in ethical and rhetorical senses. It can denote candor, straightforwardness, and plain-speaking—a virtue of mind and manner that avoids deceit or artifice. In this sense, simplicitas emphasizes clarity and honesty of expression rather than merely a lack of complexity.

In contemporary discourse, the term is sometimes used to discuss parsimony or explanatory simplicity in philosophy of science and cognitive science, where simpler theories are often preferred if they explain the same phenomena. Simplicitas thus spans diverse contexts, from metaphysical doctrine to everyday virtues of communication.