Book 1
3
and this difference is of the greatest importance in deciding their relative priority. In one way it might seem that the most elementary body is that from which first other bodies are produced by combination; and this will be that body which is rarest and composed of the finest particles.
4
Hence all who posit Fire as first principle will be in the closest agreement with this theory. However, even among the other thinkers everyone agrees that the primary corporeal element is of this kind. At any rate none of the Monists thought earth likely to be an element—obviously on account of the size of its particles—
5
but each of the other three has had an advocate; for some name fire as the primary element, others water, and others air.Cf. Aristot. Met. 3.5, 8. And yet why do they not suggest earth too, as common opinion does? for people say Everything is earth.
6
And Hesiod too saysCf. Aristot. Met. 4.1. that earth was generated first of corporeal things—so ancient and popular is the conception found to be. Thus according to this theory anyone who suggests any of these bodies other than fire, or who assumes something denser than air but rarer than water,Cf. Aristot. Met. 7.3 n. will be wrong.
7
On the other hand if what is posterior in generation is prior in nature, and that which is developed and combined is posterior in generation, then the reverse will be the case; water will be prior to air, and earth to water. So much for those who posit one cause such as we have described.
7
The same will apply too if anyone posits more than one, as e.g. Empedocles says that matter consists of four bodies;
