Aristotle's Theory of Material Substance: Heat and Pneuma, Form and Soul - Couverture rigide

Freudenthal, Gad

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0198240937 ISBN 13 : 9780198240938

Editeur : Clarendon Press, 1995

Synopsis

Book by Freudenthal Gad

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur :

This book offers an original account of one of Aristotle's central doctrines, his theory of material substance. Gad Freudenthal argues that Aristotle's concept of heat is a crucial but hitherto ignored part of this account. Aristotle's `canonical', four-element theory of matter fails to explain the coming-to-be of material substances (the way matter becomes organised) and their persistence (why substances do not disintegrate into their components). Interpreters have highlighted Aristotle's claim that soul is the active cause of the coming-to-be and persistence of living beings. Dr Freudenthal draws on dispersed remarks in Aristotle's writings, to argue that Aristotle in parallel also draws on a comprehensive `naturalistic' theory, which accounts for material persistence through the concepts of heat, specifically vital heat, and connate pneuma. This theory, which bears also on the higher soul-functions, is central in Aristotle's understanding of the relationship between matter and form, body and soul. Dr Freudenthal aims not only to recover this theory and to highlight its explanatory roles, but also to make suggestions concerning its origin in Presocratic thought and in Aristotle's own early theology. He further offers a brief review of how later ages came to grips with the difficulties inherent in the received version of Aristotle's matter theory. This book is an important contribution to the proper understanding of a central Aristotelian doctrine, which straddles `chemistry', biology, the theory of soul, and metaphysics.

Revue de presse :

the whole book deals in clear and sprightly fashion with a number of important ideas and problems in Aristotelianism that will be unfamiliar to many historians of science. (George Molland, British Journal for the History of Science)

This bold and vigorous study contributes greatly to the growing body of work on the essential connections between Aristotle's biology and central issues in his metaphysics and psychology ... Comprehensive and lucidly argued, this book is strongly recommended for all university and college libraries. (Choice)

The book offers a new and refreshing description of Aristotle's system and demonstrates that without understanding the basics of Aristotle's biology, his conception of the structure of the physical world cannot be fully understood. The book is carefully and thoughtfully out lined and very well written. For quite a while I have not read a book that contributed so much to my understanding of Aristotle. (Ruth Glasner, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Early Science and Medicine 2.1, 1997)

Those with an interest in the mechanics of Aristotle's biology will find a wealth of information, much of it fascinating in its own way and all of it clearly and accurately presented. (Christopher Shields, The Philosophical Review, Vol.106 No.4)

Freudenthal's work is sophisticated and highly technical. It will be of use to the serious student of Aristotelian hylo-morphism, as well as to the historian of science. (Religious Studies Review)

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Clarendon Press
• Date d'édition: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0198240937
• ISBN 13: 9780198240938
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 248