Aristotle on Homoeomerous Substances

Abstract

Aristotle’s characterisation of homoeomerous substances in Generation and Corruption is typically interpreted as involving the idea that such substances retain their identity as such however far they are divided. Yet, in Meteorology 4 Aristotle attributes properties of homoeomerous substances to a structure of corpuscles separated by pores. I suggest the clash between these two views is removed once it is appreciated that the position in Generation and Corruption does not involve indefinite division, as is typically supposed. Aristotle’s construal of homoeomerous substances, on my interpretation, is an important part of his attempt to make conceptual sense of the notion that all terrestrial substances are combinations of air, earth, fire and water.