When Aristotle argues at the Metaphysics Z.17, 1041b11–33 that a whole, which is not a heap, contains ‘something else’, i.e. the form, besides the elements, it is not clear whether or not the form is a proper part of the whole. I defend the claim that the form is not a proper part within the context of the relevant passage, since the whole is divided into elements, not into elements and the form. Different divisions determine different senses of ‘part’, and (...) thus the form is not a part in the same sense as the elements are parts. I object to Koslicki’s (2006) interpretation, according to which the form is a proper part along the elements in a single sense of ‘part’, although she insists that the form and the elements belong to different categories. I argue that Koslicki’s reading involves a category mistake, i.e. the conjunction of items that do not belong to the same category (Goldwater 2018). Since for Aristotle parthood presupposes some kind of similarity of parts, the conjunction of form and elements requires treating these items as somehow belonging to the same category, e.g. ‘being’, but no such category exists. (shrink)

We examine Logins’ (2022) erotetic view of normative reasons, specifically focusing on his distinction between normative reasoning reasons and normative explanatory reasons. A normative reasoning reason forms the content of a premise in reasoning or argument, while an explanatory reason is unsuitable for such a role. Logins considers this distinction to be robust and irreducible. Logins attempts to establish the distinction by appealing to specific examples where the roles diverge. We argue that these examples can be reinterpreted in a way (...) that allows the same facts or propositions to fulfil both reasoning and explanatory roles. Furthermore, we contend that a case where a consideration is supposedly fit only for the explanatory role does not necessarily constitute a good explanation. Consequently, Logins’ strategy for establishing a ‘robust’ distinction between reasons may not be effective. (shrink)