back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12347

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 7. Existence / E. Categories / 3. Proposed Categories ]

Full Idea

The immediate divisions of that which is are genera, and there will be one science for each genus.

Gist of Idea

The immediate divisions of that which is are genera, each with its science

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1004a04)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.82


A Reaction

This is robustly realist, and right at the heart of Aristotle's philosophy. It explains why essences and forms must be given through genera and differentiae, even though essences are individual. Genera are the only way to identify things.