Description

Book Synopsis
Book 2 of the Physics is arguably the best introduction to Aristotle's ideas, as well as being the most interesting and representative book in the whole of his corpus. It defines nature and distinguishes natural science from mathematics. It introduces the seminal idea of four causes, or four modes of explanation. It defines chance, but rejects a theory of chance and natural selection in favour of purpose in nature. Simplicius, writing in the sixth century AD, adds his own considerable contribution to this work. Seeing Aristotle's God as a Creator, he discusses how nature relates to soul, adds Stoic and Neoplatonist causes to Aristotle's list of four, and questions the likeness of cause to effect. He discusses missing a great evil or a great good by a hairsbreadth and considers whether animals act from reason or natural instinct. He also preserves a Posidonian discussion of mathematical astronomy.

Table of Contents
Introduction Textual Emendations Translation Notes Bibliography Appendix: The Commentators English-Greek Glossary Greek-English Index Index of Works Cited in the Notes Subject Index

Simplicius: On Aristotle Physics 2

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    A Paperback by Barrie Fleet

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      Book details

      Publisher Bloomsbury
      Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
      Published 10 April 2014
      ISBN-13 9781780938646
      978-1780938646
      ISBN-10 1780938640
      Also in:
      Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Book 2 of the Physics is arguably the best introduction to Aristotle's ideas, as well as being the most interesting and representative book in the whole of his corpus. It defines nature and distinguishes natural science from mathematics. It introduces the seminal idea of four causes, or four modes of explanation. It defines chance, but rejects a theory of chance and natural selection in favour of purpose in nature. Simplicius, writing in the sixth century AD, adds his own considerable contribution to this work. Seeing Aristotle's God as a Creator, he discusses how nature relates to soul, adds Stoic and Neoplatonist causes to Aristotle's list of four, and questions the likeness of cause to effect. He discusses missing a great evil or a great good by a hairsbreadth and considers whether animals act from reason or natural instinct. He also preserves a Posidonian discussion of mathematical astronomy.

      Table of Contents
      Introduction Textual Emendations Translation Notes Bibliography Appendix: The Commentators English-Greek Glossary Greek-English Index Index of Works Cited in the Notes Subject Index

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