Structure and Method in Aristotle's Meteorologica

Erscheinungsjahr 2015
ISBN: 978-1-107-61725-4
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 322 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 469 g

In the first full-length study in any modern language dedicated to the Meteorologica, Malcolm Wilson presents a groundbreaking interpretation of Aristotle's natural philosophy. Divided into two parts, the book first addresses general philosophical and scientific issues by placing the treatise in a diachronic frame comprising Aristotle's predecessors and in a synchronic frame comprising his other physical works. It argues that Aristotle thought of meteorological phenomena as intermediary or 'dualizing' between the cosmos as a whole and the manifold world of terrestrial animals. Engaging with the best current literature on Aristotle's theories of science and metaphysics, Wilson focuses on issues of aetiology, teleology and the structure and unity of science. The second half of the book illustrates Aristotle's principal concerns in a section-by-section treatment of the meteorological phenomena and provides solutions to many of the problems that have been raised since the time of the ancient commentators.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Wilson, Malcolm

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Geowissenschaften Geologie Meteorologie, Klimatologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Kultur- und Ideengeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction; 1. The rebirth of meteorology; 2. From elements to exhalations; 3. The exhalations; 4. The biological method; 5. Teleology in the Meteorologica; 6. Kapnosphere; 7. Condensation and precipitation (1.9-12); 8. Fresh waters (1.13-14); 9. The sea (2.1-3); 10. Winds (2.4-6); 11. Earthquakes and stormy phenomena (2.7-3.1); 12. Reflections (3.2-6); 13. Minerals and metals.

Über Autor(innen)

Wilson, Malcolm
Malcolm Wilson is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Oregon. He is author of Aristotle's Theory of the Unity of Science (2000) and numerous articles on ancient philosophy and science.