Abstract

Aristotle's interpretation of χώϱα has most often been regarded as an excellent example of his supposed inability to read other philosophers other than through the lenses of his own technical vocabulary and its implications. However, his reasoning is independent of his own take on the issue of prime matter, his claim is right, and it amounts to the thesis that χώϱα is neither matter nor space. It is shown how 209 b 6–17 is located within the larger context of the Physics and its agenda concerning the issue of principles and causes of natural beings.