Book 3
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Thus to study the essential attributes connected with the same genus is the province of the same science proceeding from the same beliefs. For the subject matter belongs to one science, and so do the axioms, whether to the same science or to a different one; hence so do the attributes, whether they are studied by these sciences themselves or by one derived from them.For the answer see Aristot. Met. 4.2.9-10, Aristot. Met. 6.1.
18
(v.) Further, is this study concerned only with substances, or with their attributes as well?Cf. Aristot. Met. 3.1.8-10. I mean, e.g., if the solid is a kind of substance, and so too lines and planes, is it the province of the same science to investigate both these and their attributes, in every class of objects about which mathematics demonstrates anything, or of a different science?
19
If of the same, then the science of substance too would be in some sense demonstrative; but it does not seem that there is any demonstration of the what is it? And if of a different science, what will be the science which studies the attributes of substance? This is a very difficult question to answer.This problem, together with the appendix to it stated in Aristot. Met. 3.1.9-10, is answered in Aristot. Met. 4.2.8-25.
