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Full Idea
Prime matter signifies body considered without the consideration of any form or accident except only magnitude or extension, and aptness to receive form and accidents.
Gist of Idea
Prime matter is body considered with mere size and extension, and potential
Source
Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 2.08.24)
Book Ref
Hobbes,Thomas: 'Metaphysical Writings', ed/tr. Calkins,Mary Whiton [Open Court 1905], p.68
A Reaction
I take 'considered without' to indicate that he thinks of it as a psychological abstraction, rather than some actual existing thing.
| 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] |