Exploring Breaks & Bonds - A Reflection on the Proof of Disjunction and Conjunction

According to Aristotle, a body is a reality composed of two substances (jawhar) called "material form" and "primary matter." This belief has been accepted by the majority of Muslim philosophers, and they have made significant efforts to prove this theory. The proof of "fasl and wasl" (disjunction and conjunction) is one of the most important arguments for proving the existence of the primary matter and the composition of a body from matter and form. This proof was first put forward by the Muslim philosophers and cannot be found in the works of earlier philosophers. In this argument, based on the continuity and discontinuity of the body, the existence of a constant element called "matter" or "primary matter" is argued, which guarantees the unity and identity of body through its everlastingness. It seems that despite the extensive efforts of Muslim philosophers to strengthen this argument and eliminate its doubts and ambiguities, ultimately, it faces serious challenges and is unable to prove the existence of the primary matter.  In this article, we first elaborate on the interpretation of the proof of "fasl and wasl" (disjunction and conjunction) and then critique it. The criticisms raised include the failure to prove the separability of the body, confusion between the meanings of connection, lack of exclusivity of potential connection and disconnection in primary matter, the contradiction of the proof with the matter itself, and more.