Dissertation
Categorial hylomorphism: an inquiry into the significance of categories for the doctrine of hylomorphism through a confrontation of the ideas of Aristotle and Kant
Categories—the most general kinds that structure reality—and hylomorphism—the doctrine that objects are composed of form and matter—are two pivotal subjects in contemporary ontology.
- Author
- Daniel Pantoja
- Date
- 15 September 2026
However, their systematic connection remains under-explored. This dissertation argues that the categorial architecture of a given ontology is fundamental to any well-formed hylomorphic system. Rather than approaching this abstractly, I employ Aristotle and Kant as methodological touchstones because their theories embody two fundamentally different yet structurally complete ways in which categories organize hylomorphic principles. Aristotle’s formulation is indispensable as it establishes the original categorial framework that still implicitly governs contemporary debates, while Kant’s revision demonstrates how modifying these categorial foundations can overcome systematic limitations.