Pure Form in Matter - A Neo-Aristotelian Approach to Hylomorphism

This book defends a purist neo-Aristotelian approach to hylomorphism, addressing long-standing debates about the reality of material objects and engaging with contemporary philosophical discussions.
It begins with a critical examination of the contemporary "impurist" approach to hylomorphism and then develops a purist conception of form, which is grounded in Aristotle's original framework and contextualized within current theoretical debates. By engaging with both ancient philosophy and contemporary metaphysics, the book demonstrates how the purist approach provides an insightful way to tackle tough philosophical issues.
This book will appeal to scholars and advanced students of ancient Greek philosophy and metaphysics.

List of contents

PART I - IMPURIST APPROACH 1. Structure 2. Power 3. Artifacts PART II - FROM IMPURISM TO PURISM 4. Inextricability 5. Separability PART III - PURIST APPROACH 6. Organism 7. Activity 8. Nature

About the author

Kezhou Liu is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Chongqing University and received his PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich. He has wide-ranging interests across ancient philosophy and metaphysics.

Product details

• Authors: Kezhou Liu
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 20.02.2026
• EAN: 9781041140573
• ISBN: 978-1-041-14057-3
• No. of pages: 206
• Series: Routledge Studies in Metaphysics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; PHILOSOPHY / Mind & Body, PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / Ancient & Classical, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500