The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle's Biology

Description

Aristotle's voluminous writings on animals have often been marginalised in the history of philosophy. Providing the first full-length comprehensive account of Aristotle's biology, its background, content and influence, this Companion situates his study of living nature within his broader philosophy and theology and differentiates it from other medical and philosophical theories. An overview of empiricism in Aristotle's Historia Animalium is followed by an account of the general methodology recommended in the Parts of Animals. An account of the importance of Aristotle's teleological perspective and the fundamental metaphysics of biological entities provides a basis for understanding living capacities, such as nutrition, reproduction, perception and self-motion, in his philosophy. The importance of Aristotle's zoology to both his ethics and political philosophy is highlighted. The volume explores in detail the changing interpretations and influences of Aristotle's biological works from antiquity to modern philosophy of science. It is essential for both students and scholars.

Sophia M. Connell is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. She is the author of Aristotle on Female Animals: A Study of the Generation of Animals (Cambridge, 2016), and has published papers on Aristotle's biology, ancient political theory and virtue ethics. She represents Ancient Philosophy on the Committee of the British Society for the History of Philosophy and is Associate Editor of the British Journal for the History of Philosophy.

'... this new book is precisely what is needed by all who are seeking to understand these foundationally important but often confusing and easily misunderstood ancient works.' Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist