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Single Idea 13216

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / a. Greek matter ]

Full Idea

The matter is that of which points and lines are limits, and it is something that can never exist without quality and without form.

Gist of Idea

Matter is the limit of points and lines, and must always have quality and form

Source

Aristotle (Coming-to-be and Passing-away (Gen/Corr) [c.335 BCE], 320b16)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.487


A Reaction

There seems to be a contradiction here somewhere. Matter has to be substantial enough to have a form, and yet seems to be the collective 'limit' of the points and lines. I wonder what 'limit' is translating? Sounds a bit too modern.


The 25 ideas from 'Coming-to-be and Passing-away (Gen/Corr)'

Unobservant thinkers tend to dogmatise using insufficient facts [Aristotle]
Wood is potentially divided through and through, so what is there in the wood besides the division? [Aristotle]
If a body is endlessly divided, is it reduced to nothing - then reassembled from nothing? [Aristotle]
True change is in a thing's logos or its matter, not in its qualities [Aristotle]
A change in qualities is mere alteration, not true change [Aristotle]
Does the pure 'this' come to be, or the 'this-such', or 'so-great', or 'somewhere'? [Aristotle]
Philosophers have worried about coming-to-be from nothing pre-existing [Aristotle]
If each thing can cease to be, why hasn't absolutely everything ceased to be long ago? [Aristotle]
Infinity is only potential, never actual [Aristotle]
All comings-to-be are passings-away, and vice versa [Aristotle]
The substratum changing to a contrary is the material cause of coming-to-be [Aristotle]
If the substratum persists, it is 'alteration'; if it doesn't, it is 'coming-to-be' or 'passing-away' [Aristotle]
If a perceptible substratum persists, it is 'alteration'; coming-to-be is a complete change [Aristotle]
Matter is the substratum, which supports both coming-to-be and alteration [Aristotle]
Matter is the limit of points and lines, and must always have quality and form [Aristotle]
Bodies are endlessly divisible [Aristotle]
Existence is either potential or actual [Aristotle]
The primary matter is the substratum for the contraries like hot and cold [Aristotle]
Which of the contrary features of a body are basic to it? [Aristotle]
The Four Elements must change into one another, or else alteration is impossible [Aristotle]
Fire is hot and dry; Air is hot and moist; Water is cold and moist; Earth is cold and dry [Aristotle]
There couldn't be just one element, which was both water and air at the same time [Aristotle]
An Order controls all things [Aristotle]
Being is better than not-being [Aristotle]
There is no time without movement [Aristotle]