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Ideas of Albertus Magnus, by Text

[German, 1206 - 1280, Born in Lauingen. A pupil of Thomas Aquinas.]

1260	On Minerals

III.1.7	p.561	16756	Substantial forms must exist, to explain the stability of metals like silver and tin
			Full Idea: There is no reason why the matter in any natural thing should be stable in its nature, if it is not completed by a substantial form. But we see that silver is stable, and tin and other metals. Therefore they will seem to be perfected by substantial forms.
			From: Albertus Magnus (On Minerals [1260], III.1.7), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 24.2
			A reaction: Illuminating. This may be the best reason for proposing substantial forms. Once materialism arrives, the so-called 'laws' of nature have to be imposed on the material to do the job - but what the hell is a law supposed to be?

1261	On 'Generation and Corruption'

II.1.1	p.462	16718	Primary qualities are the cause of all the other sensible qualities
			Full Idea: The primary qualities of tangible things are the cause of all the other sensible qualities.
			From: Albertus Magnus (On 'Generation and Corruption' [1261], II.1.1), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 21.2
			A reaction: This makes the primary qualities sound suspiciously like the essence.