Wisdom And Philosophy

The Theory of Correlation: Aristotle's Investigative View on the Relationship Between Essence and Being

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Hossein Noroozifard 1
Mohammadreza Asadi 2

1 Ph. D. Candidate (Department of Philosophy) Allameh Tabataba'i University: Tehran, Tehran, IR

2 Department of Philosophy ,Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages. Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, IR

https://doi.org/10.22054/wph.2026.85961.2307
Abstract
Although the prevailing interpretation of Aristotle’s theory posits the identity of existence (being) and essence, the opposing view—the distinction or separation of essence and existence—is also evident in Aristotle’s texts. Aristotle argues that in material beings, existence is distinct from essence. Thus, he acknowledges both separation and identity. These seemingly contradictory claims can be reconciled in various ways. For instance, the subjects of these propositions may be differentiated. However, the theory of the correlation of existence and essence, derived from Aristotle’s works, offers a coherent synthesis of these perspectives. According to this theory, Aristotle holds that complete existence corresponds to complete essence, and contingent existence corresponds to contingent essence. The existence of an entity is neither wholly distinct from nor identical to its essence; rather, they are proportionally aligned. In this framework, the relationship between existence and the entity mirrors that between existence and essence: existence is neither separate from the entity nor identical to it. In this article, through a close analysis of Aristotle’s texts and a library-based compilation and interpretation of relevant materials, we aim to elucidate this Aristotelian theory.

Keywords

Being (einai)
Essence (To ti ēn einai)
correlation
separation (chōrismos)
identity (tautotēs)
Subjects
Wisdom And Philosophy

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 May 2026

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