Metaphysical+Change

Metaphysical Change
 * Metaphysical Change ** refers to the process of becoming. Change that actualizes a form is called generation. Change that removes a form is called corruption. Three principles of changes explain the process. 1) Subject principle or subsisting reality is the potential in which the change occurs and which survives the change; it is the subsisting reality that distinguishes something from all else. 2) Form principle refers to what is actualized at the end of the change. 3) Privation principle refers to what is lost because a form was actualized. The degree of change refers to whether or not identity is lost in the change. Accidental (incidental) change results in a change in condition while identity is maintained. Substantial change refers to a change in substance resulting in a change in identity.

The subsisting reality is a particular oak tree. The change illustrated here is accidental change—what is lost are the accidents of the acorn seed; what is gained are the accidents of a mature oak tree. A substantial change would occur if the subsisting reality ceased to be—as in a forest fire.