Alexander of Aphrodisias on how the sun heats: Aristotle's Meteorology 1.3 in context

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

Aristotle’s explanation of the sun heating the sublunary cosmos by rubbing against its upper edge is problematic within his own physical model of the universe. At the same time, it has certain importance for Aristotle’s physical system insofar as it links the processes of coming to be and perishing to their heavenly cause and thus accounts for the unity of the cosmos. The reconstruction of Aristotle’s argument which would lend it full credibility is therefore seen by Alexander as an important task. Alexander’s interpretation of Aristotle’s accountshould be read against the background of Hellenistic debates about providence in general and Peripatetic discussions of the cosmic role of divine causes in particular. The few works that have been devoted to Alexander’s argument so far expressed misgivings on whether his proposed interpretation will actually work, or whether there is in fact a consistent account behind his defence of Aristotle. In this paper I aim to show how the Aristotelian explanation can be made towork, in Alexander’s view, and how the logic of this latter discussion forces some crucial theoretical choices in Alexander’s own reading of Aristotle’s metaphysics and philosophy of nature, in particular his hylomorphic theory of elements.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLetture medievali di Aristotele
Subtitle of host publicationIl De caelo e le Meteore
EditorsElisa Coda
PublisherPisa University Press
Pages47-94
ISBN (Electronic)9788833397023
ISBN (Print)9788833397016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Publication series

NameGreco, Arabo, Latino: le vie del sapere. Studi
PublisherPisa University Press
Number9

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Aristotle
  • Alexander of Aphrodisias
  • Aristotle De caelo
  • Aristotle meteorology
  • ancient science
  • Aristotelian commentators

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