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Simplicius: On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.5-9

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Simplicius: On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.5-9
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Simplicius
Translated by R.J. Hankinson
SeriesAncient Commentators on Aristotle
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:192
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreWestern philosophy - Ancient to c 500
Cosmology and the universe
ISBN/Barcode 9781472557421
ClassificationsDewey:113
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publication Date 10 April 2014
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Aristotle argues in On the Heavens 1.5-7 that there can be no infinitely large body, and in 1.8-9 that there cannot be more than one physical world. As a corollary in 1.9, he infers that there is no place, vacuum or time beyond the outermost stars. As one argument in favour of a single world, he argues that his four elements: earth, air, fire and water, have only one natural destination apiece. Moreover they accelerate as they approach it and acceleration cannot be unlimited. However, the Neoplatonist Simplicius, who wrote the commentary in the sixth century AD (here translated into English), tells us that this whole world view was to be rejected by Strato, the third head of Aristotle's school. At the same time, he tells us the different theories of acceleration in Greek philosophy.

Author Biography

R.J. Hankinson is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin.