Hylomorphism

In metaphysics, hylomorphism is the doctrine in which every physical thing consists of two intrinsic properties: matter and form. Aristotle originally thought of hylomorphism in rejection of the atomistic perspective of change, arguing that if particles composing an entity were replaced with the particles of another entity, this would be the process of destruction rather than change. So, in order for change to occur, Aristotle hypothesized that there must be something permanent that traverses from the earlier state to the later state of the thing. This something cannot be a being in itself (otherwise, this would be a process of destruction, not change), but rather, a potentiality in which change is received. Hence, Aristotle defined matter as the underlying substratum of the potentiality of a thing to become actualized in a particular form, and therefore, experiencing change. For example, if a being was changed from one actuality (form) to another, the potentiality (matter) in the first actuality receives the change to become the second actuality – the form of the first actuality would be what experiences the change in becoming the form of the second. In the special case of the body and soul, the body can be seen as the matter and the soul as the form. However, not every change may affect the soul form – there are different kinds of changes. In an accidental change, there is change in the accidental form of the thing, in which its non-essential (accidental) aspects may be changed, but not its foundation – the essence of the thing’s identity remains constant. However, in a substantial change, for example, dying, there is change in the substantial form of the thing, in which its fundamental aspects are also changed. In the case of dying, the identity of the living being no longer exists, hence changing the substantial form of the being. There are also different kinds of matter. Secondary matter is the potency underlying accidental change, while primary matter is pure potency underlying substantial change. Secondary matter can be understood as the thing itself. On the other hand, primary matter seems to be much more mystical. However, there is a good reason to its existence. Quarks, for example, are the fundamental constituent of matter and physically simple things that can substantially change from one kind of quark (form) to another kind. In order for this change to occur, there must exist primary matter so that quarks can physically transform while retaining their identity. Overall, hylomorphism can be thought of as the generalization that every physical thing is a composite of matter and form according to the nature of change.