Abstract
Physical objects are compounds of matter and form, as stated by Aristotle in his hylomorphism theory. The concept of “form” in this theory refers to physical structures or organizational structures. However, mental processes are not of this kind, they do not change physical arrangement of neurons, but change their states. To cover all natural processes hylomorphism should acknowledge differences between three kinds of forms: Form as physical structure, form as function resulting from organization and interactions between constituent parts, and dynamical form as state transitions that change functions of structures without changing their physical organization. Dynamical forms, patterns of energy activation that change the flow of information without changing the structure of matter, are the key to understand minds of rational animals.
Highlights
Identity of physical objects has been conceptualized in history of philosophy in various ways.The most obvious distinction that has been made is between matter and form
Various approaches to hylomorphism are based on different concept of “form”: Physical static or flexible structures, processes that have distinct stages, dynamical forms based on activation patterns, highly abstract categories, or intentions of agents behind creation of artefacts or organisms
Mind is truly non-materialistic, based on dynamical forms that are actualized by neurodynamics in a way that depends on many circumstances, including personal history
Summary
Identity of physical objects has been conceptualized in history of philosophy in various ways. In ancient Western philosophy Aristotle in Physics has introduced distinction between form and matter that considered together characterize physical and mental objects This idea, called hylomorphism, became the foundation of Thomist philosophy in the 13th century [3]. Philosophies 2018, 3, 36 to physical structure, functional organization, nor dynamical states of matter, it is the stable essence that endows substances with particular properties, making different types of things. This idea has been linked to the phenotypic plasticity by Austin and Marmodoro [8] (Chapter 7 and 8), continuous dynamically connected landscape that unfolds in morphological space, maintaining the identity of evolving organisms. Characterization of different kinds of forms should help to develop hylomorphic ideas further
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