back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12353

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 2. Reason / D. Definition / 5. Genus and Differentia ]

Full Idea

Species and genera are largely irrelevant to the program of 'Metaphysics'.

Gist of Idea

Species and genera are largely irrelevant in 'Metaphysics'

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], kind) by Michael V. Wedin - Aristotle's Theory of Substance III.10

Book Reference

Wedin,Michael V.: 'Aristotle's Theory of Substance' [OUP 2000], p.121


A Reaction

The idea seems to be that Aristotle is seeking tools for getting at the primary being of a thing, and the notion of 'form' strikes him as a better account, because it explains the genera and species, rather than just naming them.