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Full Idea
If earth is air-esque and earth is (not fire but) fire-esque, then it is fire that is primary matter. Such matter is not a this-something.
Gist of Idea
Primary matter is what characterises other stuffs, and it has no distinct identity
Source
Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1049a25)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.271
A Reaction
For being a 'this-something' read 'having determinate identity'. Aristotle's account of 'primary matter' is controversial and much discussed.
| 15771 | Primary matter is what characterises other stuffs, and it has no distinct identity [Aristotle] |
| 12868 | Ultimate matter is discredited, as Aristotle merged substratum of change with bearer of properties [Simons on Aristotle] |
| 16099 | The traditional view of Aristotle is God (actual form) at top and prime matter (potential matter) at bottom [Aristotle, by Gill,ML] |
| 15954 | Aristotle may only have believed in prime matter because his elements were immutable [Aristotle, by Alexander,P] |
| 16589 | Prime matter lacks essence, but is only potentially and indeterminately a physical thing [Auriol] |
| 16571 | Prime matter is exceptionally obscure [Zabarella] |
| 16591 | Prime matter is nothing but its parts [Vanini] |
| 16600 | Prime matter is body considered with mere size and extension, and potential [Hobbes] |
| 19399 | Prime matter is nothing when it is at rest [Leibniz] |
| 17006 | Prime matter has no place in Aristotle's theories, and passages claiming it are misread [Gill,ML] |
| 16093 | Prime matter is actually nothing and potentially everything (or potentially an element) [Gill,ML] |