Description
Book SynopsisAristotle’s Meteorologica concentrates on the meteorological aspects of Aristotle’s work published as
Meteorologica books A-D, and on how they compare now with our understanding of meteorology and climate change. In other words, how well did Aristotle fair when he tried to explain weather 2,300 years ago when there was only logic, eye observation, and past experience, with only primitive instrumentation and a few personalized measurements? While there are scientific issues behind Aristotle’s writings, this book is written for the non-specialist. The book uses simple examples to present its case, which will be easily followed by general readers.
Trade Review'[Aristotle's] explanation of climate change and natural variability [is[ remarkable. Through sound logic – based on the resources available to him at the time – and keen observation, Aristotle made more progress in meteorology than was made in the entire millennium that followed his thesis. Overall, this [book] serves as an interesting and pertinent reminder of how atmospheric science has evolved from Aristotle’s time to today.' -
Leilani Dulguerov and Jürg Luterbacher, WMO Secretariat (2022), Meteoworld'This most recent English commented translation of Aristotle’s Metereologica focuses on how Aristotle’s treatise compares with our understanding of meteorology and climate change. In their extensive commentaries, the editors explain how Aristotle tried to explain weather 2.300 years ago, having at his disposal only logic, eye observation, past experience, and primitive instrumentation. The book uses telling examples and can be easily followed by general readers.' -
Riccardo Pozzo (2022), Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences & Arts'This bookfulfills a definite need and offers an authoritative scientificbackground for the study of Aristotle’s weather theory.' – Daniel W.Graham (2023): Aestimatio 3.1
Table of ContentsProlegomena ;
Introduction: about Aristotle ;
His life ;
His works ;
BOOK A FROM ΜΕΤΕΩΡΟΛΟΓΙΚΑ ;
Aristotle’s universe with a glimpse on climate change ;
Meteorology now, part 1 ;
Analogies and contrasts ;
Key points of meteorology now, part 1 ;
Back to Aristotle’s
Meteorologica ;
Meteorology now, part 2 ;
Key points of meteorology now, part 2 ;
Analogies and contrasts ;
Back to Aristotle’s
Meteorologica ;
BOOK B FROM ΜΕΤΕΩΡΟΛΟΓΙΚΑ ;
On winds ;
Stormy weather ;
Meteorology now, part 3 ;
Key points of meteorology now, part 3 ;
Back to Aristotle’s
Meteorologica ;
BOOK C FROM ΜΕΤΕΩΡΟΛΟΓΙΚΑ ;
Aristotle’s optics
Preparatory introduction ;
Aristotle’s general theory of colour ;
The halo ;
Rainbow ;
Sun dogs and light pillars ;
Aurora Borealis ;
BOOK D FROM ΜΕΤΕΩΡΟΛΟΓΙΚΑ ;
Aristotle’s notion on thermodynamic equilibrium ;
Concluding remarks ;
Appendix I: Aristotle’s poem ‘Ode to Virtue’ ;
Appendix II: Aristotle on climate change
