F
fakename
Guest
I was reading some metaphysics by Aristotle and I can’t answer a rather basic question: how is one thing one?
For instance, everything is made up of matter and form. For everything can be defined as informed matter and this definition is not essential since that would be like defining a nose as a slanted piece of cartilage on the face; all of the words in the definition are defined differently and so there is no unity in the essence of the thing besides an accidental one. But that means that nothing is essentially one since they are composed of essentially different principles.
But also, I think that matter and form have no existence beyond the substance right? But in what way then, are angels called formal? By analogy?
Also, if substance is “made up” of matter and form are form and matter together the matter of things so that everything is material (since to be material means to be made up of things)? But of course, if matter and form are not things then this does not follow and yet how could substances be composites?
Also, in what way is analogical knowledge, really knowledge? Does analogy
For instance, everything is made up of matter and form. For everything can be defined as informed matter and this definition is not essential since that would be like defining a nose as a slanted piece of cartilage on the face; all of the words in the definition are defined differently and so there is no unity in the essence of the thing besides an accidental one. But that means that nothing is essentially one since they are composed of essentially different principles.
But also, I think that matter and form have no existence beyond the substance right? But in what way then, are angels called formal? By analogy?
Also, if substance is “made up” of matter and form are form and matter together the matter of things so that everything is material (since to be material means to be made up of things)? But of course, if matter and form are not things then this does not follow and yet how could substances be composites?
Also, in what way is analogical knowledge, really knowledge? Does analogy