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Single Idea 11275

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 5. Theory of Logic / L. Paradox / 2. Aporiai ]

Full Idea

Aporia 14: Are the elements of things potentialities and capacities for causing and generating those things or are they what actually causes and generates those things?

Gist of Idea

Aporia 14: Are ultimate causes of things potentialities, or must they be actual?

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1002b32-1003a05) by Vassilis Politis - Aristotle and the Metaphysics 3.4

Book Reference

Politis,Vasilis: 'Aristotle and the Metaphysics' [Routledge 2004], p.88


A Reaction

We would now call this a question about 'dispositions', and the consensus seems to be that they are potential rather than actual, since a vase may be fragile without having to actually break.