[
1018b]
[1]
or (b) which are in the same genus and
contain a differentia; or (c) which contain a contrariety in their
essence.(d)
Contraries, too (either all of them or those which are called so in a
primary sense), are "other in species" than one another; and (e) so
are all things of which the formulae are different in the final
species of the genus (e.g., "man" and "horse" are generically
indivisible, but their formulae are different); and (f) attributes of
the same substance which contain a difference. "The same in species"
has the opposite meanings to these.
"Prior" and
"posterior" mean: (1.) (a) In one sense (assuming that there is in
each genus some primary thing or starting-point) that which is nearer
to some starting-point, determined either absolutely and naturally, or
relatively, or locally, or by some agency; e.g., things are prior in
space because they are nearer either to some place naturally
determined, such as the middle or the extreme, or to some chance
relation; and that which is further is posterior.(b) In another sense, prior or
posterior in
time . Some things are prior as being
further from the present, as in the case of past events (for the
Trojan is prior to the Persian war, because it is further distant from
the present); and others as being nearer the present, as in the case
of future events (for the Nemean are prior to the Pythian games
because they are nearer to the present, regarded as a starting-point
and as primary).
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(c) In another sense, in
respect of motion (for that which is nearer to the prime mover is
prior; e.g., the boy is prior to the man). This too is a kind of
starting point in an absolute sense. (d) In respect of potency; for
that which is superior in potency, or more potent, is prior. Such is
that in accordance with whose will the other, or posterior, thing must
follow, so that according as the former moves or does not move, the
latter is or is not moved. And the
will is a
"starting-point."(e) In respect of order; such are all things which are
systematically arranged in relation to some one determinate object.
E.g., he who is next to the leader of the chorus is prior to him who
is next but one, and the seventh string is prior to the eighth
1; for in one case the leader is
the starting-point, and in the other the middle
2
string.
In these examples "prior" has this sense; but
(2.) in another sense that which is prior in knowledge is treated as
absolutely prior; and of things which are prior in this sense the
prior in
formula are different from the prior in
perception . Universals are prior in formula, but
particulars in perception. And in formula the attribute is prior to
the concrete whole: e.g. "cultured" to "the cultured man"; for the
formula will not be a whole without the part.Yet "cultured" cannot exist apart from
some cultured person.
Again, (3.)
attributes of prior subjects are called prior; e.g., straightness is
prior to smoothness,