Single Idea 16663

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 5. Species]

Full Idea

A subject is limited by its species to certain modes of being.

Gist of Idea

Things are limited by the species to certain modes of being

Source

Peter John Olivi (Summa quaestionum super Sententias [1290], I:586-7), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 13.2

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.249


A Reaction

I think this is so very the wrong way round. Species characteristics are generalisations about similar individual creatures. The 'species' doesn't do anything at all. It is a classification. See ring species, for example.