back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 10957

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 2. Reason / D. Definition / 1. Definitions ]

Full Idea

One strays from the purpose of definitions if one confines oneself to a formal account and simply discards the material element.

Gist of Idea

The material element may be essential to a definition

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1036b20)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.208