“A sense is what has the power of receiving into itself the sensible forms of things without the matter, in the way in which a piece of wax takes on the impress of a signet-ring without the iron or gold.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
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Quote
“A sense is what has the power of receiving into itself the sensible forms of things without the matter, in the way in which a piece of wax takes on the impress of a signet-ring without the iron or gold.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle describes the nature of sensation—the ability of the senses to receive and perceive the forms or qualities of objects in the world, without taking on the matter of those objects. Using the metaphor of a piece of wax receiving the imprint of a signet-ring, Aristotle explains that just as the wax takes on the shape of the ring’s design without adopting the actual material of the ring (iron or gold), the senses are capable of perceiving the form of an object—such as its color, shape, or texture—without the matter of the object itself being transferred. This ability allows the senses to distinguish and understand the world without being physically altered by it.
This concept continues to be relevant in philosophy of mind and epistemology (the theory of knowledge). Aristotle’s view suggests that sensory perception is a process where the mind or sense organs can take on the qualities of objects—such as sight, sound, taste, or touch—without the actual substance of those objects being absorbed. In modern cognitive science, this idea aligns with the understanding that perception is not just a passive reflection of the physical world but an active process where the brain interprets sensory information.
For example, when we see a red apple, we do not take in the apple’s matter (its physical substance), but we perceive its redness, shape, and size—qualities that can exist in our mind as sensory experiences, independent of the apple’s actual matter. Aristotle’s insight into sensation encourages us to reflect on how our senses allow us to experience the forms of the world, shaping our understanding without requiring us to physically absorb the material essence of everything we encounter.
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