Philoponus: Against Proclus On the Eternity of the World 9-11 Paperback / softback
by Philoponus
Part of the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series
Paperback / softback
Description
In one of the most original books of late antiquity, Philoponus argues for the Christian view that matter can be created by God out of nothing.
It needs no prior matter for its creation. At the same time, Philoponus transforms Aristotle's conception of prime matter as an incorporeal 'something - I know not what' that serves as the ultimate subject for receiving extension and qualities.
On the contrary, says Philoponus, the ultimate subject is extension.
It is three-dimensional extension with its exact dimensions and any qualities unspecified.
Moreover, such extension is the defining characteristic of body.
Hence, so far from being incorporeal, it is body, and as well as being prime matter, it is form - the form that constitutes body.
This uses, but entirely disrupts, Aristotle's conceptual apparatus.
Finally, in Aristotle's scheme of categories, this extension is not to be classified under the second category of quantity, but under the first category of substance as a substantial quantity. This volume contains an English translation of Philoponus' commentary, detailed notes and introduction, and a bibliography.
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:176 pages
- Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication Date:10/04/2014
- Category:
- ISBN:9781472557889
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:176 pages
- Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication Date:10/04/2014
- Category:
- ISBN:9781472557889
