Single Idea 16762

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / a. Greek matter]

Full Idea

What desires the form is matter, as the female the male, and the ugly the beautiful.

Gist of Idea

Matter desires form, as female desires male, and ugliness desires beauty

Source

Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 192a22)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.235


A Reaction

Wow! This is a very active view of matter. The drive in nature (the 'conatus' in Spinoza) can be discerned in all sorts of levels. It is Nietzsche's will to power. It seems to be the opposite of entropy.