Towards the principles. Resolving the eleatics’ arguments for absolute monism

The focus of this chapter is Aristotle’s resolution of Parmenides’ argument for monism in Physics I 3, in particular the role that this resolution plays in Physics I and its philosophical meaning. It argues that one of Aristotle’s principal aims is to construe a theory of principles that, unlike those of his predecessors, is correct, because it is built (among other things) by solving some major problems left unresolved by his predecessors. Parmenides’ argument involves one of these problems: the problem of plurality, which concerns both the plurality of distinct beings/substances and the internal articulation of a single being/substance into parts that differ in being and account. This second aspect of the problem of plurality is crucial for Aristotle’s inquiry, since his principles (matter and form) are conceived of as internal elements of natural things. So, by resolving Parmenides’ argument, Aristotle establishes the basis for his own theory of principles