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Single Idea 16091

[from 'Categories' by Aristotle, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance ]

Full Idea

'Categories' treats something's being an ultimate subject as a test for being a primary substance, but it does not treat its primary objects as complex bodies consisting of matter and form. In that case, is the composite or a feature the ultimate subject?

Gist of Idea

Is primary substance just an ultimate subject, or some aspect of a complex body?

Source

report of Aristotle (Categories [c.331 BCE]) by Mary Louise Gill - Aristotle on Substance Ch.1

Book Reference

Gill,Mary Louise: 'Aristotle on Substance: Paradox of Unity' [Princeton 1989], p.16


A Reaction

Gill is trying to throw light on the difference between 'Categories' and 'Metaphysics'. Once you have hylomorphism (form-plus-matter) you have a new difficulty in explaining unity. The answer is revealed once we understand 'form'.