Hylomorphism (
Greek υλο- hylo-, "wood, matter" + 
-morphism < Greek 
-μορφη, 
morph, "form") is a philosophy that highlights the significance of 
matter in the structure of 
being, regarding matter as as important (or even more so) as 
form.
Hylomorphism served as a useful tool in medieval philosophy from (at least) Avicebron to (at least) Thomas Aquinas.
 
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