Single Idea 10956

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 10. Properties as Predicates]

Full Idea

Suppose we only ever saw bronze circles - would that make the bronze a formal part of the circle?

Gist of Idea

If we only saw bronze circles, would bronze be part of the concept of a circle?

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1036b01)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.207


A Reaction

This is Aristotle spotting the problem of coextensionality (the renate/cordate problem) 2300 years ago. Don't underestimate those Greeks.