Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/425

370 incomplete. I may say a few words on each of them.

4. In regard to the first of these, matter or , Aristotle's doctrine is this: Matter is not, properly speaking, the existent; neither is it the absolutely non-existent: it is mere potentiality (), a capability of passing into the actual. When form, , supervenes to matter or , the potential is converted into the actual, and the result is completed existence. This perfected existence, at least when organised, is called by Aristotle , and also . Thus,  and  are nearly synonymous in the Aristotelic philosophy. They denote a mere capacity of existence;  and  are also nearly synonymous, and denote the actuality of existence, existence realised. These words play an important part in the system of Aristotle, metaphysical, physical, and moral. There is another important word which I may mention here, , privation. Matter devoid of all form would be in a state of  or privation. Thus,  is the opposite of , for this latter term expresses the union of matter and form ( and ). It is not to be supposed that matter is ever in a state of absolute privation. Such a state is a mere mental abstraction, or rather it is a nonsensical, inconceivable condition.

5. The second principle which Aristotle lays down