Hylomorphism

Hylomorphism is a philosophical concept originated by Aristotle, suggesting that everything in the world is a combination of matter and form. Matter refers to the physical substance of an object, while form denotes its essential characteristics or essence that define what it is. For example, a statue is made of marble (matter), and its shape and design (form) give it identity as a work of art. Hylomorphism highlights how things exist not just as physical objects, but also in terms of their purpose and characteristics, capturing the interplay between what something is made of and what it represents.