Society, Growth, Material Principle

Insofar as a Whole is a Whole of its Parts, it is co-extensive with them.  Accordingly, it is unclear how it is, as Aristotle asserts, "prior" to them.  But, one case in which that priority is clear is when a Whole generates a new Part, e. g. the birth of a new member of a family, of a village, of a society, etc.  In other words, that priority entails the possibility of the growth of a Whole.  Now, as has been previously discussed, the process that produces particulars is the Material Principle.  Thus, the Material Principle is ingredient in the growth of a society.