Return to Porphyry, Introduction
1. But to be comprehensive of Species is common to Genus and Difference; for Difference also comprehends Species, though not all such as Genus comprehends.
2. For rational though it does not comprehend irrational natures, as animal does, yet it comprehends angel and man which are Species.
3. Such things too, as are predicated of Genus as Genus, are also predicated of the Species under it.
4. And such things as are predicated of Difference as Difference, are also predicated of the Species formed from it.
5. For animal being a Genus, substance is predicated of it as of a Genus, and also animated and sensible.
6. But these are predicated of all the Species under animal, as far as to individuals.
7. Since also rational is Difference, the use of reason is predicated of it as of Difference.
8. The use of reason however, is not only predicated of rational, but also of the Species under rational.
9. This likewise is common, that Genus or Difference being subverted, the things which are under them are also subverted.
10. For as if animal is not, horse is not, nor man.
11. Thus, also rational not existing, there will be no animal which uses reason.
12. But it is the property of Genus to be predicated of more things than Difference, Species, Peculiarity, and Accident are predicated.
13. For animal is predicated of man and horse, of bird and snake; but quadruped is alone predicated of animals which have four feet.
14. Man is alone predicated of individuals; and an ability of neighing, is predicated of horse alone, and of particular horses.
15. In a similar manner Accident is predicated of still fewer things.
16. It is necessary however to assume the Differences by which Genus is divided, and not those which give completion to, but those which divide the Essence of Genus.
17. Farther still, Genus comprehends Difference in capacity.
18. For of animal one kind is rational, and another irrational; but Differences do not comprehend Genera.
19. Again, Genera are prior to the Differences which are under them.
20. Hence, they subvert Differences, but are not co-subverted with them.
21. For animal being subverted, rational and irrational axe at the same time subverted.
22. But Differences do not any longer co-subvert with themselves Genus; for though all of them should be subverted yet we may form a conception of animated sensible Essence, which is animal.
23. Farther still, Genus is predicated in answer to the question “What is this?”, but Difference is predicated in answer to the question “What kind of a thing is this?”, as we have before observed.
24. Again, there is one Genus according to every Species, as for instance, animal is the Genus of man; but there are many Differences, as, rational, mortal, capable of intellect and science, by which man differs from other animals.
25. And Genus indeed is similar to matter, but Difference to form.
26. Since however, there are other things which are common and peculiar to Genus and Difference, those which we have enumerated are sufficient.
Return to Porphyry, Introduction
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