Aristotle and Mathematics: Aporetic Method in Cosmology and Metaphysics (Philosophia Antiqua)

Cleary, John J.

ISBN 10: 9004101594 / ISBN 13: 9789004101593

Published by Brill, 1995

About this Item

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Aristotle and Mathematics: Aporetic Method in Cosmology and Metaphysics (Philosophia Antiqua)
• Publisher: Brill
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9004101594
• ISBN 13: 9789004101593
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: VeryGood

About this title

Synopsis

John Cleary here explores the role which the mathematical sciences play in Aristotle's philosophical thought, especially in his cosmology, metaphysics, and epistemology. He also thematizes the aporetic method by means of which he deals with philosophical questions about the foundations of mathematics. The first two chapters consider Plato's mathematical cosmology in the light of Aristotle's critical distinction between physics and mathematics. Subsequent chapters examine three basic aporiae about mathematical objects which Aristotle himself develops in his science of first philosophy. What emerges from this dialectical inquiry is a different conception of substance and of order in the universe, which gives priority to physics over mathematics as the cosmological science. Within this different world-view, we can better understand what we now call Aristotle's philosophy of mathematics.

About the Author

John J. Cleary, Ph.D. (1982) in Philosophy, Boston University, is lecturer at Maynooth College and associate professor at Boston College. He has published widely on ancient philosophy.