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The primary term in Aristotle's writings (e.g. Metaphysics 1018a, 20) for object is "antikeimenon'. The "anti' refers to something against or opposite; "keimenon' is translated as underlying. What became the common term in day-to-day usage as well as in philosophical terminology is the term object. The prefix "ob' is of Greek origin and connotes again something which is opposite but the term "ject' is rooted in the Latin jicere which connotes "to throw'. Something which is thrown is obviously not that which underlies, because it connotes a product of the attitude or the deed of the person involved. Indeed, we find in some German usages the term Gegenwurf, but eventually the German term is Gegenstand, which implies something which is placed before, is standing and not projected. Hence we can say that object connotes that which is placed before the eyes, or that is directed to in our cognition, however varied it may be.

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-011-2060-9_3

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