Quaestiones

Author(s)

• Alexander, of Aphrodisias
• Sharples, R. W.

Bibliographic Information

Quaestiones

Alexander of Aphrodisias ; translated by R.W. Sharples

（Ancient commentators on Aristotle）

Cornell University Press, 1992-

• v. 1
• v. 2

Other Title

Quaestiones

Uniform Title

Quaestiones

Note

v. 1. 1.1-2.15 -- v. 2. 2.16-3.15

Series statement from jacket

Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

v. 1 ISBN 9780801427145

Description

Most of the minor texts attributed to Alexander of Aphrodisias were organized into collections in antiquity. Three books of the collected works, which are characterized as "school-discussion problems and solutions on nature," are commonly cited as Alexander's Quaestiones. The first book of the Quaestiones and the first half of the second book, here translated, are concerned with physics, metaphysics, psychology, and divine providence. Inspired by discussions of Aristotle's works among Alexander and associates of his, the Quaestiones illuminate the functioning of a philosophical school in the early third century A.D. In their emphasis on resolving apparent anomalies and contradictions, they exemplify the process by which Aristotle's thought came to be regarded as "Aristotelianism," and they reveal the influence of the doctrines of Hellenistic philosophy. The translation of some of these first into Arabic and then into Latin played and important role in the transmission of ancient Greek philosophy to the medieval world. Of more than historical interest, Alexander's Quaestiones cast light on Aristotle's views on such issues as the problem of universals and the relation between form and matter. The Quaestiones have received increasing attention in recent years; this volume, along with its projected sequel, will make all of the text available for the first time in modern language. Students and scholars in the fields of ancient philosophy, classics, and medieval studies will warmly welcome it.

Volume

v. 2 ISBN 9780801430886

Description

Attributed to Alexander of Aphrodisias -the leading ancient commentator on Aristotle -the Quaestiones exemplify the process through which Aristotle's thought was organized and came to be interpreted as "Aristotelianism." This volume of R.W. Sharples's translation, together with his earlier translation of Quaestiones 1.1-2.15, makes the Quaestiones available in its entirety for the first time in a modern language. The Quaestiones are concerned with problems of physics and metaphysics, psychology and divine providence. Readers interested in Aristotle's psychological views will find the second half of the Quaestiones particularly valuable. Ten of the problems discussed involve issues raised in Aristotle's On the Soul, including the unity of apperception and the transition from first to second actuality in the act of contemplation. An additional twelve problems relate to aspects of physical theory such as infinity, necessity, and potentiality. Quaestio 2.21 concerns divine providence and helps supplement our knowledge of Alexander's position. A study of the Quaestiones also suggests how interpretations of Aristotle were influenced by doctrines of Hellenistic philosophy. Translated first into Arabic and then into Latin, excerpts from the Quaestiones played a significant role in the transmission of ancient Greek philosophy to the medieval world.

by "Nielsen BookData"

• NCID: BA14325200
• ISBN:
  • 0801427142
  • 0801430887
• LCCN: 91021146
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Original Language Code: grc
• Place of Publication: Ithaca, N.Y.
• Pages/Volumes: v.
• Size: 24 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : B535.A63
  • DC20 : 185
  • NDC8 : 131.4
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Aristotle
  • LCSH : Metaphysics -- Early works to 1800
  • LCSH : Hylomorphism
  • LCSH : Fate and fatalism -- Early works to 1800
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA01568243