Single Idea 12145

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition]

Full Idea

Definitions are thought to be of what something is, and what something is is in every case universal and positive.

Gist of Idea

Definitions are of what something is, and that is universal

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 90b05)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.49


A Reaction

This is exhibit A for those who think that Aristotelian essences concern the genus, rather than the particular. I suspect that this idea is best expressed as 'all we can say by way of definition of a particular thing involves the use of universals'.