Proclus on the Forms of Attributes: The Case of Figures and Numbers (in Prm. 3.826.19-827.18)

At in Parmenidem 3.826.19-827.18, within the context of a discussion concerning the extent of the world of Forms, Proclus addresses the problem of the Forms of attributes. He admits of Forms of substantial attributes, however denies the existence of Forms corresponding to mere accidental attributes. In the last lines of the passage, he contends that we should also posit Forms of figure and number. These opaque lines have been neglected in previous scholarship, with the sole exception of the recent Budé edition of the text, where it is argued that since figures and numbers cannot be conceived of as attributes, the paragraph is thus out of place as it stands. This article aims to show that such an interpretation is mistaken and that the paragraph indeed belongs to the discussion of the Forms of attributes insofar as figures and numbers are regarded here as attributes—more precisely, as substantial attributes.