Final answer:
The nature of matter has been debated from ancient Greek philosophy to modern science. It is currently defined as anything with mass and volume, composed of elements and atoms. Philosophical debate continues around whether matter has inherent properties beyond these physical descriptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether matter has an intrinsic nature touches upon deep philosophical discussions about the nature of reality. From ancient Greek philosophers to modern day scientists, the understanding of matter has evolved significantly. The Greek atomists like Leucippus and Democritus argued that matter was made up of indivisible particles called atomos. In contrast, Aristotle believed matter could be infinitely divided and composed of the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Bishop Berkeley later contended that matter was indistinguishable without its properties, a view leaning towards idealism.
In contemporary science, matter is defined as anything that occupies space and has mass. It consists of elements, which are made up of atoms. These atoms can bind together to form molecules and thereby create the vast diversity of materials in the universe. Debate continues, however, about whether matter has an intrinsic nature separate from the properties by which we identify it.