Third, the relation between ‘matter’ and the potentiality it...

Third, the relation between ‘matter’ and the potentiality it bears for becoming something is one that exists between a physical body and its three-dimensional geometrical form ( al-jism al-ta’lîmî ). Hence, the potentiality for a particular thing delimits the indefinite potentiality of matter, in the same way as a three-dimensional geometrical form defines the indefinite threefold dimensions of a physical mass.

Fourth, the existence of entities that come into existence in time inseparable from the change in their forms if they are substances, and in their states if accidents. Fifth, potentiality always subsists through actuality, and matter subsists continually through a form that sustains it. Thus when a – form takes the place of an earlier one, the subsequent form takes the place of the preceding one in sustaining matter.

Sixth, it becomes clear from what has been mentioned that potentiality temporally precedes only a particular actuality; otherwise actuality when taken in an absolute manner precedes potentiality respect of all forms of priority: causal, temporal, by nature, etc. الفصل الثاني في تقسيم التغير ---------------------------- قد عرفت أن من لوازم خروج الشي‏ء من القوة إلى الفعل حصول التغير إما في ذاته أو في أحوال ذاته فاعلم أن حصول التغير إما دفعي و إما تدريجي و الث