Return to Porphyry, Introduction
1. It is common therefore to Difference and Species, to be participated equally; for the individuals of mankind participate equally of man, and the Difference of rational.
2. It is likewise common to them to be always present to their participants; for Socrates is always rational, and Socrates is always a man.
3. But it is the Peculiarity of Difference indeed, to be predicated in answer to the question what kind of a thing a thing is; and of Species to be predicated in answer to the question, what a thing is. For though man should be assumed as a certain kind of a thing, yet he will not be simply so, but so far as Differences acceding to Genus give subsistence to him.
4. Again, Difference is frequently seen in many Species, as quadruped in many animals which differ in Species; but Species is in the individuals alone which are under Species.
5. Farther still, Difference is prior to the Species which subsists according to it. For rational being subverted co-subverts man with itself; but man being subverted, does not subvert rational, since angel will still exist.
6. Again, Difference is conjoined with another Difference; for rational and mortal are conjoined in order to the subsistence of man; but Species is not conjoined with Species, so as that a certain other Species is Generated. For a certain horse is conjoined with a certain ass, in order to the Generation of a mule; but horse simply conjoined with ass, will not produce a mule.
Return to Porphyry, Introduction
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