Porphyry: To Gaurus on How Embryos are Ensouled and On What is in Our Power

Porphyry

ISBN 10: 0715638580 / ISBN 13: 9780715638583

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, GB, 2011

About this Item

Concerning embryos, Porphyry takes an original view on issues that had been left undecided by his teacher Plotinus and earlier by the doctor Galen. What role is played in the development of the embryo by the souls or the natures of the father, of the mother, of the embryo, or of the whole world? Porphyry's detailed answer, in contrast to Aristotle's, gives a significant role to the soul and to the nature of the mother, without, however, abandoning Aristotle's view that the mother supplies no seed. In the fragments of On What is in Our Power, "Porphyry" discusses Plato's idea that we choose each of our incarnations, and so are responsible for what happens in our lives.This volume contains an English translation of the two commentaries, as well as extensive notes, an introduction and a bibliography.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780715638583

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Porphyry: To Gaurus on How Embryos are Ensouled and On What is in Our Power
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, GB
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0715638580
• ISBN 13: 9780715638583
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 15.88W x 2.54H x 23.5D centimeters 15.88 centimeters width by 2.54 centimeters height by 23.5 centimeters depth
• Weight: 449 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Concerning embryos, Porphyry takes an original view on issues that had been left undecided by his teacher Plotinus and earlier by the doctor Galen. What role is played in the development of the embryo by the souls or the natures of the father, of the mother, of the embryo, or of the whole world? Porphyry's detailed answer, in contrast to Aristotle's, gives a significant role to the soul and to the nature of the mother, without, however, abandoning Aristotle's view that the mother supplies no seed. In the fragments of On What is in Our Power, "Porphyry" discusses Plato's idea that we choose each of our incarnations, and so are responsible for what happens in our lives.

This volume contains an English translation of the two commentaries, as well as extensive notes, an introduction and a bibliography.

About the Author

James Wilberding is Lecturer in Ancient Thought, School of Historical Studies, Newcastle University.