Aristotle's metaphysics centers on substance, essence, and accidents. Substances are independent entities, while essences define what they are. Accidents are non-essential properties that can change without altering a substance's identity.
This framework forms the basis of Aristotle's ontology. It explains how things can change yet remain the same, and provides a structure for understanding the nature of reality and scientific knowledge.
Substance, Essence, and Accidents in Aristotelian Metaphysics
Aristotle's concept of substance
- Fundamental concept in Aristotle's metaphysics serves as the primary sense of being and ultimate subject of predication
- Independent entities that exist in their own right without depending on anything else for their existence (Socrates, this horse)
- Distinguishes between primary substances which are particular, individual entities (Socrates) and secondary substances which are universal kinds or species (human)
- Subjects of change and bearers of properties persist through change while maintaining their identity as properties (accidents) inhere in them and cannot exist independently
Essence vs accidents
- Essence is the set of essential properties that define what a substance is consists of necessary and sufficient conditions for being a particular kind of thing (rationality and animality for humans)
- Accidents are non-essential, contingent properties of a substance that can change without affecting the substance's identity (color, size, location)
- Essences are universal and shared by all members of a species forming the basis for Aristotle's theory of natural kinds
- Accidents are particular and vary among individuals of the same species accounting for the differences between individuals (Socrates' snub nose, Plato's broad shoulders)
Substance, essence, and accidents
- Substance is the primary ontological category while essence and accidents are dependent on substance and cannot exist without a substance to inhere in
- A substance's essence determines its species and necessary properties as the unchanging, defining aspect of a substance (humanity for individual humans)
- Accidents are the changeable, non-essential properties of a substance that do not affect its identity or essence (height, weight, hair color)
- The combination of essence and accidents constitutes a complete, individual substance (a particular human with the essence of humanity and various accidental properties)
- Essences are the objects of scientific knowledge and definition while accidents are the objects of sense perception and opinion