Single Idea 16573

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 10. Beginning of an Object]

Full Idea

In addition, coming-to-be may proceed out of nothing pre-existing - a thesis which, more than any other, preoccupied and alarmed the earliest philosophers.

Gist of Idea

Philosophers have worried about coming-to-be from nothing pre-existing

Source

Aristotle (Coming-to-be and Passing-away (Gen/Corr) [c.335 BCE], 317b29)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.479


A Reaction

This is the origin of the worry about 'ex nihilo' coming-to-be. Christians tended to say that only God could create in this way.

Related Idea

Idea 16574 Coming-to-be may be from nothing in a qualified way, as arising from an absence [Aristotle]