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Single Idea 17995
[filed under theme 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / a. Fundamental reality
]
Full Idea
We must recognise three 'originative sources': first that which is potentially perceptible body, secondly the contrarities (e.g hot and cold), and thirdly Fire, Water, and the like. Only thirdly, however, for these bodies change into one another.
Gist of Idea
Basic is the potentially perceptible, then comes the contrary qualities, and finally the 'elements'
Source
Anaxagoras (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE]), quoted by Aristotle - The History of Animals 529a34
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.509
A Reaction
The 'potentially perceptible' seems to be matter. The surprise here is that the contraries are more basic than the elements, rather than being properties of them. Reality is modes of matter, it seems.
Related Idea
Idea 17994
The primary matter is the substratum for the contraries like hot and cold [Aristotle]
The
23 ideas
from Anaxagoras
21822
|
Anaxagoras's concept of supreme Mind has a simple First and a multiple One
[Anaxagoras, by Plotinus]
|
17995
|
Basic is the potentially perceptible, then comes the contrary qualities, and finally the 'elements'
[Anaxagoras]
|
20802
|
Snow is not white, and doesn't even appear white, because it is made of black water
[Anaxagoras, by Cicero]
|
22761
|
We reveal unreliability in the senses when we cannot discriminate a slow change of colour
[Anaxagoras, by Sext.Empiricus]
|
13784
|
Mind is self-ruling, pure, ordering and ubiquitous
[Anaxagoras, by Plato]
|
5118
|
Anaxagoras says mind remains pure, and so is not affected by what it changes
[Anaxagoras, by Aristotle]
|
2629
|
Anaxagoras was the first to say that the universe is directed by an intelligence
[Anaxagoras, by Cicero]
|
7488
|
Anaxagoras was the first recorded atheist
[Anaxagoras, by Watson]
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631
|
For Anaxagoras the Good Mind has no opposite, and causes all movement, for a higher reason
[Anaxagoras, by Aristotle]
|
22727
|
Mind creates the world from a mixture of pure substances
[Anaxagoras, by ]
|
550
|
Anaxagoras said that the number of principles was infinite
[Anaxagoras, by Aristotle]
|
21383
|
The ultimate constituents of reality are the homoeomeries
[Anaxagoras, by Vlastos]
|
13208
|
Anaxagoreans regard the homoeomeries as elements, which compose earth, air, fire and water
[Anaxagoras, by Aristotle]
|
367
|
Anaxagoras says mind produces order and causes everything
[Anaxagoras, by Plato]
|
22726
|
When things were unified, Mind set them in order
[Anaxagoras]
|
5956
|
Anaxagoras was charged with impiety for calling the sun a lump of stone
[Anaxagoras, by Plutarch]
|
18231
|
Anaxagoras said a person would choose to be born to contemplate the ordered heavens
[Anaxagoras]
|
21382
|
Things get smaller without end
[Anaxagoras]
|
21381
|
Germs contain microscopic organs, which become visible as they grow
[Anaxagoras]
|
13256
|
Nous is unlimited, self-ruling and pure; it is the finest thing, with great discernment and strength
[Anaxagoras]
|
480
|
Past, present and future, and the movements of the heavens, were arranged by Mind
[Anaxagoras]
|
481
|
Nothing is created or destroyed; there is only mixing and separation
[Anaxagoras]
|
13257
|
The senses are too feeble to determine the truth
[Anaxagoras]
|