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Single Idea 12868

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / b. Prime matter ]

Full Idea

The idea of ultimate matter is discredited philosophically because of the version of the doctrine found in Aristotle, who ran together the two notions of being a substratum of change on the one hand, and being the bearer of properties on the other.

Gist of Idea

Ultimate matter is discredited, as Aristotle merged substratum of change with bearer of properties

Source

comment on Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], Bk 06.6) by Peter Simons - Parts 6.6

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.241


A Reaction

This is an illuminating comment on Aristotle. The substratum of change seems to be a fairly substantial essence, while the bearer of properties seems to shrivel to minimal size because it can't have properties of its own.