Ontological determinations and mythological origins of Khora in Plato and Aristotle

The khora, which Plato mentions in the Timaeus Dialogue where he discusses the construction of the cosmos, is one of the most fundamental actors of Platonic cosmology. The doctrine of first matter, one of the central concepts in the Aristotelian conception of the universe, is also one of the most fundamental actors of the Aristotelian doctrine of being. This study argues that Plato's conception of khora and Aristotle's conception of the doctrine of first matter have their origins in pre-philosophical religious representation. Accordingly, this study, which consists of three main sections, firstly discusses Plato's views on khora and examines the meanings and functions that the philosopher attributes to the concept by analyzing the various methapors that the philosopher presents regarding the concept. Secondly, Aristotle's criticism of khora and the philosopher's ideas on the doctrine of first matter are analyzed. At the same time, the similarities of Aristotle's doctrine of first matter with Plato's conception of khora are emphasized at some points. Thirdly, the study argues that both the concepts of khora and first matter have their origins in pre-philosophical religious representation, suggesting a genuine continuity between cosmogony and cosmology.