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Single Idea 10941

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined ]

Full Idea

The substance of a particular thing is variously held to be that which it was to be that thing, or the universal, or the genus, or the subject, which is that of which other entities are said, but is never itself being said-of anything else.

Gist of Idea

A substance is what-it-is-to-be, or the universal, or the genus, or the subject of saying

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1028b30)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.174


A Reaction

This formulation sounds worryingly verbal to me, but I don't suppose Aristotle meant it entirely that way.