Conclusion

Abstract

The division of being into three spheres of being (oύσίαι), viz. ideas (theologicals), mathematicals, and physicals, was reported by Aristotle as Platonic. It is immaterial in the present context whether Aristotle was correct in his report. He himself was not only of the opinion that he was; he even adapted this division to his own purposes. If he misunderstood Plato, in this case at least he cannot be charged with having maliciously done it. The adaption mentioned before was Aristotle’s division of theoretical philosophy into theology (metaphysics), mathematics, and physics. More will be said about that presently.