Read the passage from Of the Wisdom of the Ancients. Now the philosophy of the Greeks, which in investigating the material principles of things is careful and acute, in inquiring the principles of motion, wherein lies all vigour of operation, is negligent and languid; and on the point now in question seems to be altogether blind and babbling; for that opinion of the Peripatetics which refers the original impulse of matter to privation, is little more than words—a name for the thing rather than a description of it.

Which phrase from the passage best states its central idea?

the philosophy of the Greeks, which in investigating the material principles of things is careful and acute
in inquiring the principles of motion, wherein lies all vigour of operation, is negligent and languid
refers the original impulse of matter to privation
a name for the thing rather than a description of it