back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 6037

[from 'fragments/reports' by Stoic school, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance ]

Full Idea

Stoics distinguish matter and substance; they say that matter is that which underlies those things which have qualities; however, the primary matter of all things or their most primeval foundation is substance, which is without qualities and unformed.

Gist of Idea

Stoics say matter has qualities, and substance underlies it, with no form or qualities

Source

report of Stoic school (fragments/reports [c.200 BCE]) by Chalcidius - Commentary on Plato's 'Timaeus' 290

Book Reference

'Hellenistic Philosophy: Intro Readings', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1988], p.123


A Reaction

In this account, substance begins to sound like Kant's 'noumenon', which is a theoretical concept which has retreated beyond all experience. Stoics were under pressure to cover everything for which the Atomists offered explanations.