Species (metaphysics)

Species, in metaphysics, is a specific genus-differentia defined item that is described first by its genus (genos) and then its differentia (diaphora). Put differently, it is an item, not necessarily biological, that belongs to a group and can be distinguished from other species in that group.

For example, a human being as a species can be defined as an animal (genus) that can reason (differentia).

The term is derived from the Greek word eidos, which means form in Plato's dialogues but should be taken to mean species in Aristotle's corpus.

External links

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy