Substance and subject are two polar terms that arise in the process of life making sense of itself. These are components which need to be presupposed in order for meaningful action to go forward. They could also be referred to as the properties (in the theatrical sense) and the protagonist, in order to emphasise how distinct their natures seem to be. And yet, while it is easy to distinguish them broadly in practise it is virtually impossible to do so in detail and up close. In experience they are merely two species of objectivity, with subject only somewhat mediated, as the necessarily implied entity that experiences, and perhaps best thought of as something to do with the brain. And so, if all there is are objectivities, subject can only be regarded as a necessary enabling effect, a sort of catalyst to the play of things in motion. An essential confusion remains as to whether subject is prior or posterior in experience and this leaves the way open to a reversal of the terms, so that it could be substance which owns the defining dynamic in experience and subject merely the name for the site or presence where this all takes place.