Searching for: "Aristotle"

  • Aristotle

    No less a figure than Bertrand Russell remarked that Aristotle's Physics was ‘extremely influential and dominated science until the time of Galileo'. This was despite the fact that this work is as much a collection of ‘lectures on nature' rather than dealing with the science of physics as we understand the term. Aristotle considers ‘the principles and causes of change, or movement' behind both animate and inanimate things. It is philosophy, not science, but over centuries affected the views of those involved in the ‘natural sciences'. The text emerged from the Lyceum, the school founded by Aristotle, and is accepted to be a compilation of texts, some of which - but perhaps not...read more

  • Aristotle

    For many centuries, Aristotle's Physics was the essential starting point for anyone who wished to study the natural sciences. Aristotle deals with many abstract ideas in this book, examining the phenomenon of being, space, motion, matter, time, infinity, magnitude, and more. This book is basically an explanation on how the universe works--as Aristotle understood it. It's not so much a straight forward philosophical text as it is a sort of compendium of problems that philosophers have spent the past several millenniums trying to figure out. As a book of philosophy, it seems more concerned with creating a system where these sorts of questions can be fully articulated and worked on than it is...read more

  • Aristotle

    I - On Sensation and the Sensible II - On Memory and Recollection III - On Sleeping and Waking IV - On Dreams V - On Prophecy in Sleep VI - On Longevity and Shortness of Life VII - On Youth and Old Age, Life and Death VIII - On Respiration ( Summary Adapted from...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's Organon comprises six key essays on logic, initially collected by Theophrastus, his successor as head of the Peripatetic school, and given its final form by Andronicus some three centuries later. The six essays are: Categories, On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics, Topics and On Sophistical Refutations. One of the principal topics of Aristotle's focus is syllogism, in which two premises (one major, one minor) lead to a conclusion. This features in Prior Analytics and On Interpretation. In the other essays, Aristotle considers the structure of being, knowledge and argument. The Organon collection has remained a core text in the study of logic and prompted...read more

  • Aristotle

    Two contrasting reflections by Aristotle which cover very particular ground. In 'On the Soul', Aristotle presents his view of the 'life essence' which, he argues, is possessed by living things whether plants, animals or humans. Not a 'soul' in the generally accepted Western use of the term, this 'soul', he says, is a life force that is indivisible from the organism that possesses it. The essay is divided into three books. Presenting his concept in book I, he further describes the structure of the 'souls' of plants, animals and humans in book II and book III. In 'The Parva Naturalia' ('Little Physical Treatises'), Aristotle continues his investigation into the biology of life and the links...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On the Soul' is a philosophical treatise written by Aristotle in the 4th century BC. The book is focused on the nature of the soul and its relationship to the body, as well as the various faculties of the soul such as perception, thought, and desire. The majority of the book is devoted to the discussion of the various faculties of the soul. Aristotle examines perception, memory, imagination, and thought in detail, and argues that these faculties are interconnected and form a hierarchy of cognitive processes. He also discusses the role of desire in human behavior, and how it relates to the other faculties of the soul. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On the Parts of Animals' is a biological treatise written by Aristotle, in which he extensively examines the anatomy and physiology of different animals, including humans. The book is divided into four sections, each focusing on a different aspect of animal life. In the first section, Aristotle explores the concept of soul and distinguishes between different types of souls that exist in animals. In the second section, he discusses the structure and function of sensory organs, such as eyes and ears, and how animals use them to interact with their environment. In the third section, he analyzes the digestive system and other internal organs, as well as the reproductive system, to understand...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle is known as the “Father of Western Philosophy.” While his greatest contributions to the world lay in philosophy, logic, and ethics, he also wrote scientific texts. In “On the Motion of Animals,” Aristotle presents a theory regarding animal movement. The text pairs well with another work by Aristotle, “On the Gait of...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On the Motion of Animals' is a scientific work by Aristotle that explores the principles of motion in living beings. In this treatise, Aristotle observes and analyzes the movements of various animals, from insects to humans, in order to understand the mechanics of motion and the physiological and psychological factors that drive it. Aristotle begins by examining the different types of motion, including natural, violent, and voluntary, and how they relate to the movements of animals. He then delves into the anatomy and physiology of different animals, looking at their skeletal structures, muscular systems, and nervous systems, and how they work together to produce motion. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    On the Heavens (Greek: Περί ουρανού, Latin: De Caelo or De Caelo et Mundo) is Aristotle's chief cosmological treatise. In it Aristotle argues that the Earth is a sphere by pointing to the evidence of lunar eclipses. Aristotle also provides a detailed explanation of his theory of 'gravity' arguing that things which contain 'earth' fall towards the centre of the Universe because 'earth' is naturally attracted to the centre of the Universe. Aristotle argues that if the planet Earth was moved to the location of the Moon then objects which contain 'earth' would not fall towards the centre of the Earth but rather towards the centre of the Universe. Aristotle believed that the more...read more

  • Aristotle

    On the Heavens is a treatise written by Aristotle in which he explores the nature and motion of the celestial bodies. In this work, Aristotle argues that the heavens are eternal, unchanging, and composed of a fifth element called aether. He distinguishes between the sublunary world, which is subject to change and decay, and the celestial realm, which is perfect and immutable. On the Heavens is a significant work in the history of astronomy and natural philosophy, and it had a profound influence on later thinkers such as Ptolemy and Galileo. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On the Gait of Animals' is a scientific work written by Aristotle, which explores the ways in which different animals move and how their movements are related to their anatomy and physiology. The work is part of Aristotle's broader investigation into the natural world, and it represents an important contribution to the field of biology. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On the Art of Poetry' is a treatise written by Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, in the 4th century BC. The work is also known as 'Poetics' and is considered one of the most important works of literary criticism in the Western tradition. The treatise consists of 26 chapters in which Aristotle explores the nature of poetry and its various genres, including epic poetry, tragedy, comedy, and the various forms of poetry that exist. Aristotle also discusses the different elements that make up a successful work of poetry, such as plot, character, thought, diction, and spectacle, and offers detailed analysis and examples of each of these elements. Aristotle also examines the...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On Sophistical Refutations' is a treatise by Aristotle that explores the nature of fallacious reasoning and how it can be identified and refuted. In this work, Aristotle presents a systematic approach to detecting and exposing errors in argumentation, particularly those that rely on equivocation or ambiguity in language. He examines a variety of sophistical arguments, including those based on language, form, and logical fallacies, and offers practical strategies for detecting and refuting them. Throughout the treatise, Aristotle emphasizes the importance of precise language and clear thinking in avoiding fallacies and arriving at sound conclusions. 'On Sophistical Refutations' is a...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's On Sleep and Sleeplessness is a treatise on the nature of sleep and wakefulness. In it, Aristotle discusses the various causes of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. He also offers some practical advice on how to achieve a good night's sleep. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    This Aristotelian treatise makes up part of the philosopher’s Parva Naturalia, which is Latin for “short treatises on nature.” In this text, he presents his ideas about the human senses. He connects each sense to an element—sight to water, touch to earth, etc. While Aristotle’s view of the senses is scientifically inaccurate in many ways, this treatise is a fascinating read for anyone interested in learning more about how the ancients understood the...read more

  • Aristotle

    On Sense and the Sensible by Aristotle is a philosophical text that discusses the nature of sensation and how it relates to knowledge. Aristotle argues that the senses are the foundation of all knowledge, and that the sensible world is the only true reality. He also contends that the intellect is not capable of grasping abstract concepts without the aid of the senses. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's 'On Prophesying by Dreams' is a philosophical work that discusses the nature of dreams and their interpretation. Aristotle believes that dreams are a way for the soul to communicate with the body, and that they can be interpreted to reveal hidden desires or truths. He also believes that some dreams are prophetic, and can foretell future events. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    In his work On Memory and Reminiscence, Aristotle explores the nature of memory and how it works. He differentiates between two types of memory: active and passive. Active memory is when we actively recall something, while passive memory is when we remember something without consciously trying to do so. Aristotle also discusses the role of reminiscence in our lives, arguing that it helps us to understand the world and ourselves better. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's On Longevity and Shortness of Life takes a holistic look at the factors that contribute to a long and healthy life. Aristotle examines the role of nature, habit, and reason in living a virtuous life. He argues that a good life is one that is in accordance with nature, and that living in accordance with nature is the key to a long and healthy life. Read in English,...read more