Note 71 — Chapter V · LOGIC OF THE STOICS.

(β) Category of subject-matter or substance. The first of these categories71 denotes the subject-matter of things in themselves (τὸ ὑποκείμενον), the material of which they are made, irrespective of any and every quality,72 the something which underlies all definite being, and which alone has a substantial value.73 Following Aristotle, the Stoics distinguish,74 in this category of matter, between matter in general, or universal matter, and the particular matter or material out of which individual things are made. The former alone is incapable of being increased or diminished. Far otherwise is the material of which particular things are made. This can be increased and diminished, and, indeed, is ever undergoing change; so much so, that the only feature which continues the same during the whole term of its existence75 and constitutes its identity, is its quality.