Hylomorphism into Pieces? Introductory Remarks

For centuries, hylomorphism ruled over Western philosophy and science. From the emergence of the first universities in Europe to the early modern era, the notion that natural bodies are composed of matter and form represented the prevailing theory of nature in the later Middle Ages. This introductory chapter offering remarks on how hylomorphism was gradually challenged by new theories of matter—ranging from new conceptions of the elements to fully-fledged atomist theories—is intended to introduce the reader to the concepts, problems, and debates around which the contributions in this volume revolve.