Gregory of Rimini on Matter

Matter is a particularly elusive concept. We may have several compelling reasons to affirm the existence of matter; yet determining what matter is in itself is far from easy. In his Commentary on the Sentences, Gregory of Rimini offers an insightful account of matter, seeking to reconcile the Aristotelian view - defended by Averroes - that the essence of matter consists in being a purely potential entity, with the Platonic suggestion that matter must nevertheless possess some degree of actuality of being on its own. Following the doctrine of Scotus and opposing to that of Peter Auriol, Gregory attempts at proving that matter is really distinct from form, although it is not possible for matter to exist separately from form.