On Aristotle's "Physics 3"
By: Simplicius ; translated by J.O. Urmson ; notes by Peter Lautner
Contributors: Urmson, J. O; Lautner, Peter
Series: [The ancient commentators on Aristotle]; Ancient commentators on Aristotle
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Ithaca, N.Y
Language: eng
Number of pages: 198
Subjects: Aristotle.; Physics -- Early works to 1800; Nature -- Early works to 1800
Genres: Early works to 1800
Other titles: On Aristotle's Physics three
Work titles: On Aristotle's Physics 3.
Description: "Aristotle's Physics Book 3 covers two subjects: the definition of change and the finitude of the universe. Change, which enters into the very definition of nature as an internal source of change, receives two definitions in Chapters 1 and 2, as involving the actualization of the potential or of the changeable. Alexander of Aphrodisias is reported as thinking that the second version is designed to show that Book 3, like Book 5, means to disqualify change in relations from being genuine change. Aristotle's successor Theophrastus, we are told, and Simplicius himself, prefer to admit relational change." "Chapter 3 introduces a general causal principle that the activity of the agent causing change is in the patient undergoing change, and that the causing and undergoing are to be counted as only one activity, however different in definition. Simplicius points out that this paves the way for Aristotle's God who moves the heavens, while admitting no motion in himself. It is also the basis of Aristotle's doctrine, central to Neoplatonism, that intellect is one with the objects it contemplates." "In defending Aristotle's claim that the universe is spatially finite, Simplicius has to meet Archytas' question: "What happens at the edge?" He replies that, given Aristotle's definition of place, there is nothing beyond the furthest stars, and one cannot stretch one's hand into nothing, nor be prevented by nothing."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Series title from jacket

'Textual emendations': p. [7]-8

Includes bibliographical references and indexes