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Single Idea 16613

[from 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' by Robert Pasnau, in 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / c. Form as causal ]

Full Idea

Scholastics lost their grip on hylomorphism as a metaphysical theory, conceiving of it as a concrete, physical hypothesis about causal forces. Once form and matter were made subject to empirical research, their days were inevitably numbered.

Gist of Idea

Hylomorphism declined because scholastics made it into a testable physical theory

Source

Robert Pasnau (Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 [2011], 06.1)

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.101


A Reaction

Pasnau seems to make a sharp distinction between science, and a separate realm he labels 'metaphysical'. You can't keep causation out of Aristotelian hylomorphism. The defence is that it is at a higher level of generality than science.