Both genus and species are universals and both can answer “What is it?” Their roles differ.
Genus: identifies a shared essential element among different species.
Species: identifies the common specific essence of multiple individuals of one species.
Question: What are human and horse?
Answer: Animal — genus.
Question: What are Zayd and Amr?
Answer: Human — species.
We must attend to the relevant level of predication, not only the isolated word.
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The Five Predicables: Genus, Species and Hierarchy of Genera
Both genus and species are universals and both can answer “What is it?” Their roles differ.
Genus: identifies a shared essential element among different species.
Species: identifies the common specific essence of multiple individuals of one species.
Question: What are human and horse?
Answer: Animal — genus.
Question: What are Zayd and Amr?
Answer: Human — species.
We must attend to the relevant level of predication, not only the isolated word.