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can be eternal (VIII 8–9). In the last chapter Aristotle closes the discussion
by arguing for another claim that seems to be presupposed by the theory
developed in Phys. VIII 1–6, namely that the first unmoved mover does not
have parts or any spatial extension and only for this reasons is capable of
persistently causing the occurrence of the same change, i.e. the eternal cir-
cular locomotion of the outermost heavenly sphere (VIII 10).
As we have seen so far, the context of Aristotle’s arguments for the claim
that change in place is the primary kind of change in Phys. VIII 7 is a dis-
cussion which shows that change must always have existed and in connec-
tion with which he develops his theory of the necessary existence of a first
and eternal unmoved mover. My next step will be to examine the way in
which the latter is connected with the question of the primary kind of
change.
2.4.3 The importance of the primary kind of change
In what follows I will argue that the examination of the question which is
the primary kind of change and the arguments presented for the claim that
this change must be locomotion plays an important role in the whole of
Book VIII of the Physics. For, the discussion in Phys. VIII 7–9, of which this
inquiry is a necessary part, provides essential support for the theory that
change exists eternally and that there must be a first unmoved mover by
backing up an assumption presupposed by this theory, despite serious
objections against it. The assumption that Phys. VIII 7–9 show to be true is
that there is a kind of change that can be eternal, primary and one without
being composed of other changes.
That this is Aristotle’s motivation for treating of the question which is
the primary kind of change becomes clearer upon closer examination of the
beginning of Phys. VIII 7, that is, of the introductory remarks which open
the discussion of the primary kind of change. Here is the passage in full:
Οὐ μὴν ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄλλην ποιησαμένοις ἀρχὴν μᾶλλον ἔσται περὶ
τούτων φανερόν. σκεπτέον γὰρ [1] πότερον ἐνδέχεταί τινα κίνησιν
εἶναι συνεχῆ ἢ οὔ, καὶ [2] εἰ ἐνδέχεται, τίς αὕτη, καὶ [3] τίς πρώτη
τῶν κινήσεων· δῆλον γὰρ ὡς εἴπερ ἀναγκαῖον μὲν ἀεὶ κίνησιν
εἶναι, πρώτη δὲ ἥδε καὶ συνεχής, ὅτι τὸ πρῶτον κινοῦν κινεῖ ταύ-
την τὴν κίνησιν, ἣν ἀναγκαῖον μίαν καὶ τὴν αὐτὴν εἶναι καὶ συνεχῆ
καὶ πρώτην.77 (VIII 7, 260a20–26)
77 All translations are my own, unless noted otherwise; yet, I made extensive use of the
different translations that are listed in the bibliography.
34 The importance of the primary kind of change
ISBN Print: 9783525253069 — ISBN E-Book: 9783647253060
© 2014, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen
The Priority of Locomotion in Aristotle’s Physics
- Titel
- The Priority of Locomotion in Aristotle’s Physics
- Autor
- Sebastian Odzuck
- Herausgeber
- Dorothea Frede
- Gisela Striker
- Verlag
- Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co
- Datum
- 2014
- Sprache
- englisch
- Lizenz
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- ISBN
- 9783647253060
- Abmessungen
- 15.5 x 23.2 cm
- Seiten
- 238
- Kategorien
- Geisteswissenschaften
- Naturwissenschaften Physik
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Acknowledgements 9
- 1. Introduction 10
- 2. The importance of the primary kind of change 14
- 3. Change in quality and quantity of living beings depends on loco-motion, but not vice versa 42
- 4. Locomotion necessarily accompanies each of the other kinds of change, but not vice versa 71
- 4.1 Overview 71
- 4.2 What changes in quantity changes with respect to place 73
- 4.3 What undergoes generation or corruption changes with respect to place 89
- 4.4 What changes in quality changes with respect to place 98
- 4.4.1 Overview 98
- 4.4.2 What does it mean that condensation and rarefaction are principles of quality? 100
- 4.4.3 Every alteration involves a change in the four basic qualities 104
- 4.4.4 Every change in the four basic qualities involves con- densation or rarefaction 108
- 4.4.5 Condensation and rarefaction are forms of aggregation and segregation 110
- 4.4.6 What changes in quality changes with respect to place 112
- 4.4.7 Conclusion 113
- 4.5 Conclusion 113
- 5. All changes depend on the first locomotion, but not vice versa 115
- 6. Locomotion has temporal priority 144
- 6.1 Overview 144
- 6.2 Locomotion has priority in time, since it is the only change eternals can undergo 146
- 6.3 Objection: Locomotion is the last of all changes in perishable things 148
- 6.4 Coming to be presupposes an earlier locomotion 150
- 6.5 The locomotion of the sun as a cause of generation 154
- 6.6 Conclusion 162
- 7. Locomotion is prior in essence 164
- 7.1 Locomotion is prior in essence, since it is last in coming to be 164
- 7.2 Locomotion alone preserves its subject’s essence 186
- 7.2.1 Overview 186
- 7.2.2 Locomotion does not change its subject’s being 188
- 7.2.3 Locomotion preserves its subject’s essence best 190
- 7.2.4 Making x depart from its essence by being part of a change in essence? 195
- 7.2.5 Change in quality or quantity in principle may result in a change in essence 202
- 7.3 Conclusion: Locomotion’s priority in essence 207
- 8. Conclusion 211
- Bibliography 220
- List of Abbreviations 223
- Index Locorum 221
- Index Nominum 223
- Index Rerum 221