Return to Porphyry, Introduction
1. It is common to Genus and Peculiarity to follow Species.
2. For if any thing is man it is animal; and if any thing is man it is risible.
3. It is likewise common to Genus to be equally predicated of Species, and to Peculiarity to be equally predicated of the individuals which participate it.
4. Thus, man and ox are equally animals; and Anytus and Melitus are equally risible.
5. It is also common to Genus to be synonymously predicated of its proper Species, and to Peculiarity to be synonymously predicated of the things of which it is the Peculiarity.
6. They differ however, because Genus indeed is prior, but Peculiarity posterior.
7. For it is first necessary that animal should exist, and afterwards that it should be divided by Differences and peculiarities.
8. And Genus indeed is predicated of many Species; but Peculiarity is predicated of one certain Species, of which it is the Peculiarity.
9. Farther still, Peculiarity is reciprocally predicated of that of which it is the Peculiarity; but Genus is not reciprocally predicated of any thing.
10. For neither does it follow if any thing is an animal, that it is a man; nor if any thing is an animal that it is risible.
11. But if any thing is a man, it follows that it is risible; and if any thing is risible, it follows that it is a man.
12. Again, Peculiarity is inherent in the whole Species of which it is the Peculiarity and is alone and always inherent; but Genus is inherent in the whole Species of which it is the Genus, and is always inherent yet not alone.
13. Farther still, peculiarities being subverted, Genera are not subverted together with them; but Genera being subverted the Species also are subverted together with them, to which the peculiarities belong.
14. Hence, those things of which there are peculiarities being subverted, the peculiarities themselves are at the same time subverted.
Return to Porphyry, Introduction
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