# Inherence

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{{Short description|Philosophical concept}}
{{distinguish|inherency}}
{{redirect|Inherent|the academic organization|INHERENT}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2017}}
'''Inherence''' refers to [Empedocles'](/source/Empedocles) idea that the [qualities](/source/Quality_(philosophy)) of [matter](/source/Matter_(philosophy)) come from the relative [proportions](/source/Proportionality_(mathematics)) of each of the [four elements](/source/Classical_element) entering into a thing.  The idea was further developed by [Plato](/source/Plato) and [Aristotle](/source/Aristotle).

==Overview==
That Plato accepted (or at least did not reject) Empedocles' claim can be seen in the ''[Timaeus](/source/Timaeus_(dialogue))''.  However, Plato also applied it to cover the presence of [form](/source/Theory_of_forms) in matter.  The form is an active principle.  Matter, on the other hand is passive, being a mere [possibility](/source/Subjunctive_possibility) that the forms bring to life.

Aristotle clearly accepted Empedocles' claim,<ref>Aristotle, [https://web.archive.org/web/20061216164725/http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/corruption/ ''On the Generation and Corruption''].</ref> but he rejected Plato's idea of the forms.  According to Aristotle, the [accidents](/source/Accident_(philosophy)) of a [substance](/source/Substance_theory) are [incorporeal](/source/incorporeal) [beings](/source/beings) which are present in it.<ref>"By being 'present in a subject' I do not mean present as parts are present in a whole, but being incapable of existence apart from the said subject." (Aristotle, ''[Categories](/source/Categories_(Aristotle))'' 1a24–26).</ref>

A closely related term is [participation](/source/Participation_(philosophy)).  If an attribute ''inheres'' in a subject, then the subject is said to ''participate'' in the attribute.  For example, if the attribute ''in Athens'' inheres in Socrates, then Socrates is said to participate in the attribute, ''in Athens.''

==See also==
* [Substance theory](/source/Substance_theory)

==References==
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==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |last1=Owen |first1=G. E. L. |title=Inherence |journal=Phronesis |date=1965 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=97–105 |doi=10.1163/156852865X00095 |jstor=4181760 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4181760 |access-date=27 January 2023 |issn=0031-8868|url-access=subscription }}

Category:Metaphysical properties
Category:Ontology
Category:Ancient Greek physics
{{ontology-stub}}

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