Global Hylomorphism Research Reading Group
Research reading group, University of Messina (IT)
Hybrid format with monthly meetings.
Start date: TBD
Poster
Materials
Access to the RRG materials is available to registered participants through the button below.
Hylomorphism in the 16th century | GS_RRG1
The Global Hylomorphism Reading Group is a collaborative framework focused on premodern theories expanding on the ontological constitution of natural objects. The first series of the GS_RRG starts in September 2024 and focuses on the 16th-century hylomorphic debate among Jesuit philosophers and its cross-cultural impact on the exegesis of non-European natural theories. Each meeting focuses on a specific issue related to scholastic hylomorphism by delving into texts, theories, and arguments of the main participants in the 16th-century debate. The plan, however, is to go ‘global’ and discuss texts and theories of ontological constitution from other traditions and periods.
Aims and structure
The aim of the reading group is to tackle the authors’ claims (1) exegetically, in connection to the Scholastic debate, (2) holistically, considering the overall theory formulated by the considered author, and (3) comparatively, in relation to the direct and/or indirect impact of the claim on the interpretation of non-European theories in China and colonial America.
The reading group will start its journey by discussing the arguments for the existence of prime matter that some of the most important philosophers from the period deploy in their works. The plan is to dive into the following list of main issues:
▻ The existence of prime matter
▻ Prime matter as potency and act
▻ Conceivability of matter
▻ Matter and quantity
▻ Matter and accidents
▻ The existence of substantial forms
▻ Degrees of forms
▻ Hylomorphic unity
▻ The problem of mixing
Programme
First meeting: September 2024
The existence of prime matter I
Francisco de Toledo, Commentary on the Physics (bk I.7):
– Q12: Does matter exist?
Pedro da Fonseca, Commentary on the Metaphysics (bk A.7):
– Q2, S1: Does prime matter exist in natural things?
Second meeting: October 2024
The existence of prime matter II
Manuel. de Góis, Commentary on the Physics (bk I.9):
– Q1: Does matter exist in physical things?
Antonio Rubio, Commentary on the Physics (tr. I):
– Q1: Is there a first and simple material principle of natural things?
Third meeting: November 2024
Matter, act, and potency I
Francisco de Toledo, Commentary on the Physics (bk I.7):
– Q13: Is matter a substance?
– Q14: Does potency belong to the essence of matter?
Fourth meeting: December 2024
Matter, act, and potency II
Pedro da Fonseca, Commentary on the Metaphysics (bk A.7):
– Q3, S7: Are substantial forms to be posited between prime matter and the accidents?
Pedro da Fonseca, Commentary on the Metaphysics (bk Δ.2):
– Q3: Does matter in its existence depend on form and form in turn on matter?
Fifth meeting: January 2025
Matter, act, and potency III
Pedro da Fonseca, Commentary on the Metaphysics (bk H.1):
– Q1 : Can matter exist by some power without the substantial form?
Sixth meeting: February 2025
Matter, act, and potency IV
Manuel. de Góis (Conimbricenses), Commentary on the Physics (bk I.9):
– Q3: In what way is potency proper to matter?
– Q6: By divine power, Can matter stick together without any form whatsoever?
Seventh meeting: March 2025
Matter, act, and potency V
Antonio Rubio, Commentary on the Physics (tr. I):
– Q2: Is prime matter essentially a pure potency?
– Q3: Does prime matter exist by itself?
– Q4: Does prime matter have a partial subsistence?
Eighth meeting: April 2025
Conceiving matter I
Pedro da Fonseca, Commentary on the Metaphysics (bk A.7):
– Q3, (partial): Are substantial forms to be posited between prime matter and the accidents?
Manuel. de Góis (Conimbricenses), Commentary on the Physics (bk I.9):
– Q1: Is prime matter aptly defined, known, and called?
Francisco Suárez, Metaphysical Disputations (d. XIII)
– S6: In what way is matter known
All are welcome to attend. If you wish to participate in the Global Hylomorphism RRG, simply reach out to me via email, and I will gladly add you to the RRG mailing list. Access to the texts (Latin and English translation drafts) will be provided through the dedicated portal on this website. For further information, feel free to drop me a line.