Title: Aristotle’s Alteration and Generation as a lens on a Person’s Change on Sexual Reassignment

Main Argument:

Introduction

Greek philosopher Aristotle lived from 384 BCE to 322 BCE. He taught Alexander the Great and
was a pupil of Plato. In addition to metaphysics, ethics, politics, biology, and physics, Aristotle
also made substantial contributions to many other subjects. According to Aristotle, in terms of
corruption, he believed that everything in the world was made up of four elements: earth, air,
fire, and water. The four elements of earth, air, fire, and water make up everything in the world,
including corruption (De Haas & Mansfeld, 2004). He thought that although these elements may
alter and change into one another, they could not be annihilated.
Corruption is a normal process that happens to everything. Given that it enabled the
transformation of one substance into another, he considered it as an essential component of the
cycle of life. As an illustration, he thought that burning wood changed it into ash, which was a
separate substance. Aristotle also embraced the idea of generation, which describes the process
of producing new living things. He held that every living thing was made up of matter and form,
and that any living thing's basic traits were determined by its form. When substance was imbued
with the proper form, generation took place. In terms of generation, Aristotle believed that living
things were composed of both matter and form. The matter was the physical substance of the
thing, while the form was the essence or defining characteristic that made it what it was. For
example, the matter of a tree was the wood, leaves, and roots, while its form was its identity as a
tree.
The concepts of corruption and generation that Aristotle developed were a component of his
larger philosophy of nature, which tried to organize our understanding of the universe. His work
continues to play a significant role in the history of philosophy and science, even though modern
science has modified several of his theories.
I. Alteration vs. Generation

In Aristotle's philosophy, the concepts of "generation" and "alteration" refer to different kinds of changes
that can occur in the natural world.

Alteration, or "change in quality," is a type of change that occurs within something that already exists.
This type of change involves a modification of some aspect of an object or substance, without creating
something new. Examples of alteration include changes in temperature, color, texture, or shape. For
instance, when a banana turns from green to yellow, this is an example of alteration. Thus, thisrefers to
changes that occur within something that already exists, but without creating something new. For
example, the growth of a plant from a seedling to a mature plant, or the transformation of water into
ice, are examples of alteration.
 Contrarily, generation refers to the act of creating something new or bringing something into
being that did not previously exist. Due to the creation of a new entity, this form of change is frequently
viewed as more significant and fundamental than alteration. The development of a plant from a seed,
the creation of a crystal from a solution, or the birth of an infant mammal are all examples of generation.
It refers to the process by which something comes into existence or is brought into being from
something else. For example, the growth of a plant from a seed, or the birth of an animal from its
parent, are examples of generation.

 Relating to the Concept of Substance

Understanding Aristotle's definition of substance is crucial for developing his theories of change
and genesis. The most fundamental and essential idea in Aristotle's philosophy was substance. The term
"substance" referred to a thing's fundamental nature or essence, which defined it as what it was. This
essence has both matter and shape in it. Form was the structure or organization that provided the
physical substance or material that made up a thing its unique characteristics and properties.

Alteration, then, was a change in the accidental properties of a substance, while generation was
the creation of a new substance with a different form. Aristotle believed that every substance had a
certain potential to change, but that the extent of that potential varied depending on the nature of the
substance. Some substances, like rocks or minerals, had a limited potential for change, while others, like
plants and animals, had a greater potential for growth and development. Aristotle also believed that the
process of generation was not a simple matter of combining matter and form, but involved a complex set
of interactions between different substances and their environments. He believed that every substance
had a specific set of potentialities that were realized through the process of generation, and that these
potentialities were shaped and directed by external factors such as the environment and the actions of
other substances.

 Artificial and Natural Substances

Another important aspect of Aristotle's ideas about alteration and generation is the distinction
he drew between natural and artificial substances. Aristotle believed that natural substances, like plants
and animals, had an inherent potential for growth and development, and that the process of generation
was a natural and organic part of their life cycle. In contrast, artificial substances, like tools or machines,
did not have this inherent potential, and were created for a specific purpose by human beings.

This distinction was important for Aristotle because he believed that natural substances were
more fundamental and important than artificial substances. He saw natural substances as having a
unique kind of value and purpose that could not be replicated by human creations. Aristotle believed
that the natural world was characterized by a kind of order and purpose, which was reflected in the way
that natural substances developed and interacted with one another.

Another important concept related to Aristotle's ideas of alteration and generation is the notion
of final causality, or teleology. Aristotle believed that every substance had a specific purpose or telos that
it was meant to fulfill, and that the process of alteration and generation was directed toward the
realization of this purpose.
 a. Person’s Claim: Reassignment of sex as a struggle for a total change of
person/substance?

b. Sex Alteration as misconstrued conception of Aristotle Generation

II. How, then, to look at the change of person who has undergone sexual reassignment through
the lens of Aristotle?

Contemporary research suggests that human sexuality and gender identity are complex and
multifaceted phenomena that are influenced by a variety of factors, including biological,
psychological, and social factors. Sexual orientation, for example, appears to have a significant
biological component, with studies suggesting that genetics and prenatal hormone exposure can
play a role in shaping sexual attraction.

Changes in sexual orientation or gender identity are often seen as a form of personal growth or self-
discovery, rather than a process of generation or alteration in the Aristotelian sense. For example, a
person who identifies as bisexual may come to realize that they are attracted primarily to people of
the same sex, and may come out as gay or lesbian. This process of self-discovery may involve
changes in behavior and identity, but does not involve the creation of something new or the
alteration of something that already exists.

It is important to approach issues related to human sexuality and gender identity with sensitivity and
respect for the diversity of experiences and perspectives that exist. People's experiences of their
own sexuality and gender identity are complex and multifaceted, and may not fit neatly into
categories or concepts from traditional philosophical frameworks.
References:
De Haas, F., & Mansfeld, J. (2004). Aristotle On Generation and Corruption, Book 1: Symposium
Aristotelicum.