Single Idea 12264

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 3. Types of Properties]

Full Idea

An 'accident' [sumbebekos] is something which may possibly either belong or not belong to any one and the self-same thing, such as 'sitting posture' or 'whiteness'. This is the best definition, because it tells us the essential meaning of the term itself.

Gist of Idea

An 'accident' is something which may possibly either belong or not belong to a thing

Source

Aristotle (Topics [c.331 BCE], 102b07)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics and Topica', ed/tr. Tredennick,H/Forster,ES [Harvard 1960], p.285


A Reaction

Thus a car could be red, or not red. Accidents are contingent. It does not follow that necessary properties are essential (see Idea 12262). There are accidents [sumbebekos], propria [idion] and essences [to ti en einai].

Related Idea

Idea 12262 An 'idion' belongs uniquely to a thing, but is not part of its essence [Aristotle]