Single Idea 16717

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / b. Primary/secondary]

Full Idea

What sorts of contrarities, and how many of them, are to be accounted 'originative sources' of body?

Gist of Idea

Which of the contrary features of a body are basic to it?

Source

Aristotle (Coming-to-be and Passing-away (Gen/Corr) [c.335 BCE], 329b04)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.509


A Reaction

Pasnau says these pages of Aristotle are the source of the doctrine of primary and secondary qualities. Essentially, hot, cold, wet and dry are his four primary qualities.