Metaphysics: Hylemorphism – Matter and Form

We have addressed two – causality and teleology - of the four explanations that provide a metaphysical account of a thing. We will now move on to the remaining two explanations and then conclude this metaphysics series with an account of what – or, perhaps, who – are the subjects of these four explanations. For now, let us address the remaining two explanations, matter (hyle) and form (morphe). As we will see, these two principles are complimentary to each other, like how causality and teleology are complementary.

Matter is that out of which a thing is made; it answers the question, “what is X made of”? It is an application of potentiality, accounting for an individual thing’s change, diversity, and limitation. Form is that which configures and determines matter; it answers the question, “what is the nature of X”? It is an application of actuality, accounting for an individual thing’s permanence, unity, and perfection. For example, an eyeball is made of various tissues and veins, and yet, an eyeball is not merely these tissues and veins; an eyeball is also a configuration of these materials that actualize the nature of “eyeball”. If I had an eyeball resting on my palm and squished it with my grip, no eyeball would remain despite the matter remaining. This is because things are not merely their matter, but their matter plus the organizing principle by which their matter is actualized with a given nature. 

In the context of change and diversity, matter is that which needs actualizing; form is that which results from actualization:

• For instance, the matter of X human being differentiates it from Y human being and, for both, has the potential to take on diverse changes throughout the human being's development, and, by virtue of human form, actualizing those changes. Change occurs because something persists, namely the form; otherwise, it would not be change, but rather annihilation of one thing and the spontaneous emergence of something else. Therefore, as a particular human being reaches adulthood, it actualizes various potencies – puberty, for example – by virtue of what it is. 

In the context of perfection, matter is that which limits (i.e., remains potential); form is that which perfects (i.e., actualizes):

• For instance, the form of circularity - a collection of points equidistant from a fixed center point -can be actualized by drawing a circle. To the extent a given circle is drawn in conformity to circularity, the circle actualizes circularity. In the case of any given circle, matter is the limiting principle insofar as it keeps in potentiality all points being equidistant from a fixed center point. Form is the perfecting principle; insofar as we can make our circle in conformity to circularity, we have a more perfect circle. We might say a circle drawn digitally using special technology is more perfect than a circle drawn with chalk on a blackboard.

Next in the series: Substances & Their Attributes