6.1 Substance
3 min read•june 24, 2024
in metaphysics is a core concept that explores the fundamental of reality. It delves into what truly exists and what the world is made of, sparking debates between and .
Greek and Indian philosophers tackled substance differently. While saw forms as true substances, focused on individual objects. Indian schools like and offered unique perspectives, blending logic and spirituality.
The Concept of Substance in Metaphysics
Definition of substance in metaphysics
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- Fundamental reality that underlies all things
- or nature of a thing, independent of its properties or
- Central concept in metaphysics, the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of reality
- Helps philosophers answer questions about what truly exists and what the world is ultimately made of
- Various theories of substance proposed by different philosophers
- Explain the relationship between substance and properties
- Explore the nature of change and identity (, )
Monism vs pluralism in philosophy
- Monism: only one fundamental substance or reality
- argued for monism, claiming all reality is a single, unchanging substance called ""
- proposed a monistic substance he called "" or "Nature," encompassing all reality
- Pluralism: multiple fundamental substances or realities
- proposed a pluralistic theory involving four elements (earth, air, fire, water)
- argued for a pluralistic theory of "," simple, indivisible substances that make up the universe
Substance in Greek and Indian Philosophy
Form and substance: Aristotle vs Plato
- Plato's theory of forms: physical world is an imperfect reflection of eternal, unchanging forms or ideas
- Forms are the true substances; physical objects are mere shadows or imitations
- A particular horse is an imperfect instance of the ideal form of "horseness"
- Aristotle criticized Plato's theory and proposed his own view
- Individual objects, not abstract forms, are the primary substances
- Distinguished between primary substance (individual objects) and secondary substance (species, genera)
- Introduced concepts of matter and form as components of substance
- Matter: raw material or potential
- Form: structure or actuality that makes a substance what it is
Theories of substance across traditions
- Indian philosophy: various schools discuss the concept of substance
- Vaisheshika school: pluralistic theory with nine distinct categories (earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, soul, mind)
- Advaita Vedanta school: monistic "non-," is the ultimate substance, apparent diversity is an illusion
- Comparing Greek and Indian theories reveals similarities and differences
- Both grapple with monism vs pluralism and substance-property relationships
- Indian theories often have a spiritual or religious dimension; Greek theories focus on logic and empirical analysis
- Evaluating theories involves considering coherence, explanatory power, and compatibility with experience
- Each theory has strengths and weaknesses; philosophers continue to debate different approaches to understanding substance
Ontological perspectives on substance
- : view that all substances are physical or material in nature
- Dualism: belief in two fundamental types of substances, typically mind and matter
- Attributes: essential qualities or characteristics of a substance
- : the continuity of a substance's identity over time, despite changes in its properties
Key Terms to Review (25)
Advaita Vedanta: Advaita Vedanta is a non-dual, idealistic school of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the ultimate oneness of the individual self (Atman) and the universal absolute (Brahman). It posits that there is only one reality, and that the apparent diversity of the world is an illusion (Maya) created by ignorance.
Aristotle: Aristotle was a renowned Greek philosopher who made significant contributions to various fields, including logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, biology, and poetics. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Western philosophy and had a profound impact on the development of philosophical thought.
Attributes: Attributes are the inherent characteristics or qualities that define and distinguish a substance or entity. They are the essential features that make something what it is, determining its nature and identity.
Being: Being is the fundamental ontological concept that refers to the existence, essence, and nature of all that is. It is the most basic and all-encompassing term that describes the underlying reality of the universe and everything within it.
Brahman: Brahman is the ultimate, supreme, and absolute reality in Hinduism. It is the underlying, unifying substance that is the source and basis of all existence, encompassing all aspects of the universe and the divine essence present in all things.
Dualism: Dualism is a philosophical view that reality is fundamentally composed of two distinct and irreducible substances or principles, such as mind and matter, or body and soul. This concept is central to the understanding of contemporary philosophy, the nature of substance, and the self and identity.
Empedocles: Empedocles was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who lived in the 5th century BCE. He is known for his theory of the four classical elements and the two opposing forces of love and strife that govern the universe.
Essence: Essence refers to the fundamental nature or intrinsic properties that define the identity and character of a thing, person, or concept. It is the core or quintessential quality that makes something what it is, without which it would cease to be that particular entity.
God: God is the supreme being, creator, and ruler of the universe, who is believed to be all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good by many religions and philosophies. The concept of God is central to the understanding of substance and its nature.
Heraclitus' River: Heraclitus' river is a metaphor used by the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus to illustrate the concept of constant change and flux in the universe. The metaphor suggests that just as a river is in a state of continuous flow, with new water constantly replacing the old, the world around us is also in a constant state of change, with nothing ever remaining the same.
Hylomorphism: Hylomorphism is a philosophical theory that explains the nature of substance, proposing that all material objects are composed of two fundamental principles: matter (hyle) and form (morphe). It suggests that the combination of matter and form is what gives an object its essential characteristics and identity.
Leibniz: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a prominent German philosopher, mathematician, and polymath who made significant contributions to various fields, including metaphysics, epistemology, and logic. He is particularly known for his work on the concept of substance, which is central to his philosophical system.
Materialism: Materialism is the philosophical view that the only thing that exists is matter or physical substance. It holds that all phenomena, including mental states and consciousness, can be explained in terms of material or physical processes, and that there is no immaterial or spiritual aspect to reality.
Monads: Monads are fundamental metaphysical units or substances that make up the universe according to the philosophical concept of substance. They are considered to be the basic building blocks of reality that possess an internal principle of change and activity.
Monism: Monism is the metaphysical view that reality is ultimately composed of a single, fundamental substance or entity. It stands in contrast to dualism and pluralism, which posit the existence of multiple, distinct substances or entities that make up reality.
Nature: Nature refers to the inherent or essential characteristics, qualities, and properties that define and distinguish a particular thing or being. It is the fundamental essence or underlying reality that gives something its unique identity and form.
Ontology: Ontology is the study of the nature of reality, existence, and being. It is a fundamental branch of metaphysics that examines the fundamental components of what is and how they are related. Ontology seeks to provide a comprehensive and systematic account of existence.
Parmenides: Parmenides was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who is considered one of the founders of metaphysics. He is known for his influential ideas on the nature of reality and being, which had a significant impact on the development of Western philosophy.
Persistence: Persistence refers to the quality of continuing steadfastly, despite obstacles or difficulties. It is the ability to maintain a course of action, thought, or belief over time, even in the face of opposition or setbacks.
Plato: Plato was a renowned ancient Greek philosopher who made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, politics, and education. He was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, and his ideas have had a lasting impact on Western thought.
Pluralism: Pluralism is the recognition and acceptance of multiple perspectives, beliefs, or sources of authority within a single context or system. It is the acknowledgment that there can be valid and coexisting differences in how people understand and approach the world.
Spinoza: Spinoza was a 17th century Dutch philosopher who developed a unique metaphysical system known as Pantheism. He is best known for his philosophical work on the nature of reality, the relationship between God and the universe, and the foundations of human knowledge and ethics.
Substance: Substance refers to the fundamental, underlying reality or essence of something, often contrasted with its outward appearance or qualities. In philosophy, the concept of substance is central to understanding the nature of reality and the composition of things.
Theseus' Ship: Theseus' Ship is a philosophical thought experiment that explores the nature of identity and the persistence of objects over time. It poses the question of whether a ship that has had all of its original parts replaced is still the same ship.
Vaisheshika: Vaisheshika is an ancient Indian school of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the analysis of the nature of reality through the study of the fundamental constituents of the universe. It is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy and is particularly focused on the concept of substance in the context of metaphysics.