Aristotle and Philoponus on Light

ISBN-13: 9781138937055 / Angielski / Twarda / 2015 / 198 str.

Jean De Groot; Jean de Groot

Opis

Originally published in 1991. Philoponus long commentary on Aristotle s definition of light sets up the major concerns, both in optics and theory of light, that is discussed here. Light was of special interest in Neoplatonism because of its being something incorporeal in the world of natural bodies and therefore had a special role in the philosophical analysis of the interpenetration of bodies and also as a paradigm for the soul-body problem. The material investigated in this book contains much about the physiology of vision as well as the propagation of light. Several chapters investigate the philosophical theory and its origins in multiplication of species. These issues in the history of science philosophy are looked at further and an analysis is offered of the development of the distinction between Aristotle s "kinesis "and "energeia. "The book covers a substantial amount of the philosophy of mathematical science from the point of view of Philoponus, drawing on more of his works relating to three dimensionality."

Spis treści

Preface 1. Philoponus and Alexandria: An Historical Introduction 2. Reconciling the Mathematical and Physical Aspects of Optics 3. The Propagation of Light Without the Passage of Time 4. The Propagation of Light, Impetus Theory, and Aristotle’s Physics III.3 5. Reexamining the Case for Neoplatonic Influence on Philoponus’ Causal Theories 6. The Physical Basis for Mathematical Demonstration in Optics 7. Mathematical Demonstration in a Mixed Science 8. Conclusion. Appendices: Analysis and Translation of Philoponus’ Commentary on De Anima II.7, 418b9; On the Interpretation of Physics VIII.3, 253b15-35. Bibliography. Indices

O autorze

Jean De Groot is Professor of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC.