Single Idea 12057

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 3. Matter of an Object]

Full Idea

Matter ex hypothesi is what ultimately underlies (to huperkeimenon) a thing; it is that from which something comes to be and which remains as a non-coincidental component in the thing's make-up.

Gist of Idea

Matter underlies things, composes things, and brings them to be

Source

David Wiggins (Substance [1995], 192a30)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Physics', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1996], p.31


A Reaction

This is an interesting prelude to the much more comprehensive discussion of matter in Metaphysics, where he crucially adds the notion of 'form', and gives it priority over the underlying matter.