Kitap 9
2
Actuality means the presence of the thing, not in the sense which we mean by potentially. We say that a thing is present potentially as Hermes is present in the wood, or the half-line in the whole, because it can be separated from it; and as we call even a man who is not studying a scholar if he is capable of studying. That which is present in the opposite sense to this is present actually.
3
What we mean can be plainly seen in the particular cases by induction; we need not seek a definition for every term, but must comprehend the analogy: that as that which is actually building is to that which is capable of building, so is that which is awake to that which is asleep; and that which is seeing to that which has the eyes shut, but has the power of sight; and that which is differentiated out of matter to the matter; and the finished article to the raw material.
4
Let actuality be defined by one member of this antithesis, and the potential by the other.
4
But things are not all said to exist actually in the same sense, but only by analogy—as A is in B or to B, so is C in or to D; for the relation is either that of motion to potentiality, or that of substance to some particular matter.
5
Infinity and void and other concepts of this kind are said to be potentially or actually in a different sense from the majority of existing things, e.g. that which sees, or walks, or is seen.
