Single Idea 16681

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 4. Quantity of an Object]

Full Idea

Matter is made to have a greater or lesser quantity not through its receiving any absolute accident, but through condensation and rarefaction alone. Parts come more or less close together, which can happen with local motion.

Gist of Idea

Matter gets its quantity from condensation and rarefaction, which is just local motion

Source

William of Ockham (Summula philosophiae naturalis [1320], I.13), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 15.1

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.303


A Reaction

This is Ockham at his most modern, rejecting the odd idea of Quantity in favour of a modern corpuscular view of the mere motions of matter.