Will, Existence, Essence

The contrast between Existence and Essence is often presented as that between 'that one is' and 'what one is'. As such, therefore, they stand in a Matter-Form relation. Now, in Formaterialism, the Material Principle of Experience is Will. Accordingly, 'I exist' is equivalent to 'I will'. Furthermore, in the system, the Material Principle and the Formal Principle are equiprimordial. Hence, in it, unlike in some others, neither Existence nor Essence in principle precedes the other.