O PROBLEMA DA FORMA SEPARÁVEL NA OITAVA APORIA DO LIVRO B (BETA) DA METAFÍSICA DE ARISTÓTELES

Abstract

The present article aims to analyze the eighth aporia of Book B (Beta) of Aristotle's Metaphysics and examine the presence of the problem of the separability of form outlined in this impasse. Indeed, the Stagirite lists the aporias in a preliminary list in B1 and, starting from B2, begins to develop each of the presented difficulties. We observe that in B1 Aristotle proposes to explore whether there is something beyond matter that could be a cause by itself, whether such a thing could be separated or not, and whether there is anything beyond the composite or not. This methodological program outlined in B1 does not follow the same order or nuances as the development of the eighth aporia in B4. However, we intend to show that the philosopher's aim is to problematize, using the diaporematic method specific to Book B (Beta), the separability of form without yet presenting a clear and objective solution to this difficulty. The problem of the separability of form, as we attempt to argue in the text, thus becomes not merely a Platonic issue, but a specifically Aristotelian one. The philosopher, based on our understanding of other important texts, especially those from the core of the Metaphysics (ZHΘ), outlines his structure concerning the hylomorphic principles (form and matter) and is able to indicate the necessary solutions (euporiai) for clarifying the eighth aporia. Furthermore, we observe that the issue addressed in the eighth aporia, involving separation, reappears in Book K (Kappa) of the Metaphysics.