A Dynamic Theory of Hylomorphism

Form as Activity
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-041-00942-9
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 206 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

Reihe: Routledge Studies in Metaphysics

This book introduces a novel hylomorphic theory of material objects, according to which material objects are understood as comprised or composed of both matter and activity, where activity plays the role of form. This theory, “hyloenergeism,” captures the dynamic nature of many of the objects of our experience, such as living organisms, better than other leading varieties of contemporary hylomorphism.

Hylomorphism is the theory according to which material objects are understood as comprised or composed of two fundamental parts, components, aspects, or principles: matter and form. Many contemporary hylomorphists endorse a version according to which the form of a material object is understood as a certain kind of complex relation or structure realized in its material parts. Others endorse a version according to which the form of a material object is understood as a certain kind of power or disposition continuously activated in the object or in its material parts. This book argues against structural and dispositional varieties of hylomorphism in favor of a third approach: hyloenergeism. Drawing on various aspects of traditional Aristotelian hylomorphism and other contemporary occurrence-based theories of material objects, it argues that hyloenergeism has the resources to successfully avoid or resolve several major concerns for other competing hylomorphic views.

A Dynamic Theory of Hylomorphism will appeal to researchers and graduate students working in metaphysics, ancient philosophy, and medieval philosophy.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate and Undergraduate Advanced

Autoren/Hrsg.

Skrzypek, Jeremy W.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Metaphysik, Ontologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Antike Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Mittelalterliche & Scholastische Philosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction 1. Form as Structure: Structural Hylomorphism 2. Three Concerns for Structural Hylomorphism 3. Form as Power: Dispositional Hylomorphism 4. Activity, Process, and Object: Some Contemporary Resources 5. Form as Activity: Hyloenergeism 6. The Virtues of Hyloenergeism 7. Conclusion

Über Autor(innen)

Jeremy W. Skrzypek is Assistant Professor of philosophy at Ohio Dominican University. He received his PhD in philosophy from Saint Louis University. In 2023, he received the American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly's Rising Scholar Award. His work has appeared in Synthese, Erkenntnis, Ratio, Oxford Studies in Medieval Philosophy, Vivarium, and elsewhere.