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Porphyry: To Gaurus on How Embryos are Ensouled and On What is in Our Power
Hardback
Main Details
Title |
Porphyry: To Gaurus on How Embryos are Ensouled and On What is in Our Power
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Authors and Contributors |
By (author) Porphyry
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Translated by James Wilberding
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Series | Ancient Commentators on Aristotle |
Physical Properties |
Format:Hardback | Pages:192 | Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156 |
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Category/Genre | Western philosophy - Ancient to c 500 |
ISBN/Barcode |
9780715638583
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Classifications | Dewey:186.4 |
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Audience | Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly | |
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Publishing Details |
Publisher |
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Imprint |
Bristol Classical Press
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Publication Date |
24 February 2011 |
Publication Country |
United Kingdom
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Description
Concerning embryos, Porphyry takes an original view on issues that had been left undecided by his teacher Plotinus and earlier by the doctor Galen. What role is played in the development of the embryo by the souls or the natures of the father, of the mother, of the embryo, or of the whole world? Porphyry's detailed answer, in contrast to Aristotle's, gives a significant role to the soul and to the nature of the mother, without, however, abandoning Aristotle's view that the mother supplies no seed. In the fragments of On What is in Our Power, "Porphyry" discusses Plato's idea that we choose each of our incarnations, and so are responsible for what happens in our lives. This volume contains an English translation of the two commentaries, as well as extensive notes, an introduction and a bibliography.
Author Biography
James Wilberding is Lecturer in Ancient Thought, School of Historical Studies, Newcastle University.
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