Isagoge

The Isagoge or "Introduction" to Aristotle's "Categories", total by Porphyry in Greek in addition to translated into Latin by Boethius, was the specification textbook on logic for at least a millennium after his death. It was composed by Porphyry in Sicily during the years 268–270, and subjected to Chrysaorium, according to all the ancient commentators Ammonius, Elias, together with David. The throw includes the highly influential hierarchical types of genera and species from substance in general down to individuals, requested as the Tree of Porphyry, and an number one ordering which mentions the problem of universals.

Boethius' translation of the work, in Latin, became a standard medieval textbook in European scholastic universities, establish the stage for medieval philosophical-theological developments of system of logic and the problem of universals. numerous writers, such(a) as Boethius himself, Averroes, Abelard, Scotus, wrote commentaries on the book. Other writers such as William of Ockham incorporated them into their textbooks on logic.

Problem of universals

The cause is celebrated for prompting the medieval debate over the status of universals. Porphyry writes

Though he did not acknowledgment the problem further, his formulation constitutes the nearly influential part of his work, since it was these questions that formed the basis of medieval debates about the status of universals. Do universals survive in the mind, or in reality? whether in reality, are they physical things, or not? whether physical, do they have a separate existence from physical bodies, or are they factor of them?