Alexander of Aphrodisias

#2

1536

"This volume completes the translation in this series of Quaestiones attributed to Alexander of Aphrodisias, the leading ancient commentator on Aristotle. The Quaestiones are concerned with physics and metaphysics, psychology and divine providence. They exemplify the process whereby Aristotle's thought came to be organised into 'Aristotelianism' and show how interpretations were influenced by doctrines of Hellenistic philosophy. Some, translated into Arabic and thence into Latin, played a part in the transmission of ancient Greek philosophy to the medieval world. Those interested in Aristotle's psychological views will find this half of Quaestiones particularly valuable. Ten of the problems discussed explicitly involve issues raised in On the Soul, including the unity of apperception and the transition from first to second actuality in the act of contemplation. A further dozen concern problems in physical theory, including infinity, necessity and potentiality. Quaestio 2.21 concerns divine providence and helps supplement our knowledge of Alexander's position based on surviving Arabic fragments of his On Providence."--Bloomsbury Publishing This volume completes the translation in this series of Quaestiones attributed to Alexander of Aphrodisias, the leading ancient commentator on Aristotle. The Quaestiones are concerned with physics and metaphysics, psychology and divine providence. They exemplify the process whereby Aristotle's thought came to be organised into 'Aristotelianism' and show how interpretations were influenced by doctrines of Hellenistic philosophy. Some, translated into Arabic and thence into Latin, played a part in the transmission of ancient Greek philosophy to the medieval world. Those interested in Aristotle's psychological views will find this half of Quaestiones particularly valuable. Ten of the problems discussed explicitly involve issues raised in On the Soul, including the unity of apperception and the transition from first to second actuality in the act of contemplation. A further dozen concern problems in physical theory, including infinity, necessity and potentiality. Quaestio 2.21 concerns divine providence and helps supplement our knowledge of Alexander's position based on surviving Arabic fragments of his On Providence.

#3

1996

"Aristotle's Meteorology Book 4 provides an account of the formation of minerals, metals and other homogeneous stuffs. Eric Lewis argues that, in doing so, it offers fresh insight into Aristotle's concept of matter. The four elements (earth, air, fire and water) do have matter, and their matter is the contraries - hot and cold, moist and dry. Lewis further argues that in the text translated here, the only extant ancient commentary on the Meteorology, Alexander of Aphrodisias supports this interpretation of Aristotle. Such a conception of matter complements the account given at an earlier point in the corpus of Aristotle's work in On Generation and Corruption and is confirmed by the account at later points in the biological works, although it adds further detail. Meteorology 4 emerges as an important book. Alexander's commentary is here translated into English for the first time."--Bloomsbury Publishing Aristotle's Meteorology Book 4 provides an account of the formation of minerals, metals and other homogeneous stuffs. Eric Lewis argues that, in doing so, it offers fresh insight into Aristotle's concept of matter. The four elements (earth, air, fire and water) do have matter, and their matter is the contraries - hot and cold, moist and dry. Lewis further argues that in the text translated here, the only extant ancient commentary on the Meteorology, Alexander of Aphrodisias supports this interpretation of Aristotle. Such a conception of matter complements the account given at an earlier point in the corpus of Aristotle's work in On Generation and Corruption and is confirmed by the account at later points in the biological works, although it adds further detail. Meteorology 4 emerges as an important book. Alexander's commentary is here translated into English for the first time.