From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordAylos means immaterial or without matter.
- In StobaeusPorphyry describes soul as a substance without magnitude, immaterial and indestructible, possessing its being in life.
- In this edition“Immaterial” preserves the denial of matter; do not substitute unreal or merely imaginary.
- A place to beginSoul’s immateriality accompanies a positive account of its being in life.
- English renderings
- immaterial; without matter
Meaning
Aylos means immaterial or without matter. It is distinct from a denial of existence.
Use in the book
Porphyry describes soul as a substance without magnitude, immaterial and indestructible, possessing its being in life. The related predicates explain why immateriality does not mean an empty abstraction: the account attributes a positive mode of living being to soul.
Places to read
- I.49.20Soul’s immateriality accompanies a positive account of its being in life.
Translation in this edition
“Immaterial” preserves the denial of matter; do not substitute unreal or merely imaginary.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 344. The participle describing possession of living agrees with life, while the participle describing possession of being agrees with soul.