METAPHYSICS OF FOUR ELEMENTS IN ARISTOTLE’S PHYSICS
History of Philosophy
Jonas Čiurlionis
Published 2017-03-27
https://doi.org/10.15388/Problemos.2017.91.10505
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Keywords

four elements
Aristotle
substance
matter
form

How to Cite

Čiurlionis, J. (2017) “METAPHYSICS OF FOUR ELEMENTS IN ARISTOTLE’S PHYSICS”, Problemos, 91(91), pp. 115–127. doi:10.15388/Problemos.2017.91.10505.

Abstract

The article analyzes a problem of four elements in Aristotle’s physics. It is claimed that elements are grounded metaphysically as first substances and manifestations of matter. Most of the time analysis of Aristotle’s philosophy draws attention to form as substance. The article reveals that despite the importance of form in a physical world of generation and corruption primary substances that defy the material Being cannot be ignored. Thus four elements are “embodiment” of prime matter. It is shown that the system of four elements, while serving as the basis to physics, at the same time is inseparable from the general Aristotelian philosophical system. Great importance is given to the issue of opposites, which form the essential physical system of first principles.

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