Substratum aristotle biography

Basic ontological concept

Substance theory, or substance–attribute theory, is an ontological theory positing that objects are constituted each by a substance and properties borne by the substance but distinct from it.

In this role, a substance can be referred to as a substratum or a thing-in-itself.^[1][2]Substances are particulars that are ontologically independent: they are able to exist all by themselves.^[3][4] Another defining feature often attributed to substances is their ability to undergo changes.

Changes involve something existing before, during and after the change. They can be described in terms of a persisting substance gaining or losing properties.^[3]Attributes or properties, on the other hand, are entities that can be exemplified by substances.^[5] Properties characterize their bearers; they express what their bearer is like.^[4]

Substance is a key concept