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Single Idea 16103

[filed under theme 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 7. Substratum ]

Full Idea

To avoid the outcome (possible in 'Categories') that the subject might be nothing at all, Aristotle insists that a legitimate subject must be separate and a 'this' [tode ti]. Forms and composites satisfy the revised criterion in different ways.

Gist of Idea

A subject can't be nothing, so it must qualify as separate, and as having a distinct identity

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], Z.3) by Mary Louise Gill - Aristotle on Substance Ch.3

Book Ref

Gill,Mary Louise: 'Aristotle on Substance: Paradox of Unity' [Princeton 1989], p.83

A Reaction

I take it that we would say that a 'this' is an entity which possesses 'identity', and is perhaps countable. For Aristotle being a 'this' seems to require a possibility of definition. This is a powerful Aristotelian thought, needed in modern metaphysics.

The 22 ideas with the same theme [an object's underlying aspect, apart from surface features]:

10962 It is unclear whether Aristotle believes in a propertyless subject, his 'ultimate matter' [Aristotle, by Lawson-Tancred]
10942 If you extract all features of the object, what is left over? [Aristotle]
16575 Something must pre-exist any new production [Aristotle]
16142 A substrate is either a 'this' supporting qualities, or 'matter' supporting actuality [Aristotle]
16103 A subject can't be nothing, so it must qualify as separate, and as having a distinct identity [Aristotle, by Gill,ML]
16631 If we remove surface qualities from wax, we have an extended, flexible, changeable thing [Descartes]
12559 Complex ideas are collections of qualities we attach to an unknown substratum [Locke]
12968 A 'substratum' is just a metaphor for whatever supports several predicates [Leibniz]
15814 A peach is sweet and fuzzy, but it doesn't 'have' those qualities [Chisholm]
15481 I favour the idea of a substratum for properties; spacetime seems to be just a bearer of properties [Martin,CB]
15264 The notorious substratum results from substance-with-qualities; individuals-with-powers solves this [Harré/Madden]
11969 Models nicely separate particulars from their clothing, and logicians often accept that metaphysically [Kaplan]
12764 For the bare particular view, properties must be features, not just groups of objects [Stalnaker]
16407 Possible worlds allow separating all the properties, without hitting a bare particular [Stalnaker]
7929 A substance is either a bundle of properties, or a bare substratum, or an essence [Macdonald,C]
7941 Each substance contains a non-property, which is its substratum or bare particular [Macdonald,C]
7942 The substratum theory explains the unity of substances, and their survival through change [Macdonald,C]
7943 A substratum has the quality of being bare, and they are useless because indiscernible [Macdonald,C]
16584 If a substrate gives causal support for change, quite a lot of the ingredients must endure [Pasnau]
16579 There may be different types of substrate, or temporary substrates [Pasnau]
16580 A substrate may be 'prime matter', which endures through every change [Pasnau]
16596 A substratum can't be 'bare', because it has a job to do [Pasnau]