This is very much a work in progress. All of these definitions are provisional and will be worked on and improved during the writing of the book. Feedback on the definitions would be especially welcome.
Metaphysics
The word originated from the name given to Aristotle’s book “that which comes after physics” (meta-physics). The subject of the book was being (existence). This is a subject which (coincidentally?) is beyond physics.
- Ousia
- The ancient Greek word for the Ideal properties, qualities, essence or substance of something – thinghood.
- In philosophy: The Ancient Greek word ousia is commonly translated as substance in English. Etymologically, it is the feminine singular participle of the verb to be plus an abstract noun ending. It has also been translated as essence, beingness, or thinghood. It represents the permanent properties or qualities of things, their Ideal Forms. [Therefore, in chemistry, substance is the ousia of matter.] (see Sachs 2002). See Chapters… . [***Rethink re: Lavoisier’s law and radioactivity***]
- Particulars
- Individual items, as contrasted with their universal, Ideal, qualities.
- Space (projective geometry)
- Euclidean …
- Elliptical (spherical?) …
- Hyperbolic …
- Negative (polar-Euclidean space, anti-space, counter-space, counterspace, ethereal, ideal-space) …
- See also geometry…
Rethinking the Nature of Substance 