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Single Idea 11234

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / f. Primary being ]

Full Idea

Aristotle thinks there are three main candidates for primary being: the particular, the universal and the essence, and Aristotle will defend the third of these.

Gist of Idea

The three main candidates for primary being are particular, universal and essence; essence is the answer

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1028a33-6) by Vassilis Politis - Aristotle and the Metaphysics 1.4

Book Reference

Politis,Vasilis: 'Aristotle and the Metaphysics' [Routledge 2004], p.12


A Reaction

If you really want to understand this idea, you must study this bit of the text carefully, and examine the translation of key terms like 'ousia'. Lawson-Tancred's translation gives a very different picture from Politis's commentary!