Study Questions for Aristotle Selections,
eds. Irwin and Fine
(Hackett Publishing Company, 1995)

Categories (pp. 1ff.)

Study questions by Dr. Jan Garrett

Last revised on December 21, 2006

1. Pick out the four divisions Aristotle makes in chapter 2 and give an example of each.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

2. Note the list at pp.3-4: 1b25 27 of "things said without combination." (These are the famous "ten categories.") Give an example of each.

(1)                                           (6)
(2)(7)
(3) (8)
(4) (9)
(5) (10)

3. Where do primary substances fall in the divisions of chapter 2? Give examples of primary substances.

4. Where do secondary substances fall in the divisions of chapter 2? Give examples.

5. According to Aristotle here, the existence (being) of what type of thing is basic? (p. 5:2b3 7; p. 6: 2b37)

6. What other generalizations does Aristotle make regarding primary substances?

2b26-27:

3a7-9:

3b10-12:

3b24-25:

3b34ff:

4a10-11: