Week 2 Course Material

Course Slides and Readings

Before the second session, please read:

• "Introduction" and "1. Matter and form introduced," in the article Form vs. Matter in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The text can be found here.

• "Hylomorphism," in Encyclopedia Britannica. The text can be found here.

Further Reading

Optional reading:

• "The nature of change" by Johannes Thijssen, article 20 of The Cambridge History of Medieval Philosophy. The text can be found here.

• "Form and matter" by Robert Pasnau, article 46 of The Cambridge History of Medieval Philosophy. The text can be found here.

Assignment

After the second session, please write 300-500 words in response to one of the following:

1. Describe the difference between a first and second substance in Aristotle's philosophy.

2. Describe the different types of change according to Aristotle, giving examples of each type.

3. Describe the difference, in Aristotelian terms, between logic, physics, and metaphysics.

4. Using examples, describe the difference between accidents and parts, and the differences between essential and accidental parts.