Aristotle on the Many Senses of Priority (Journal on the History of Philosophy) - Softcover

John J. Cleary (author)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809314657 ISBN 13: 9780809314652

Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press, 1988

Synopsis

Cleary discusses the origin, development, and use of the many senses of priority as a central thesis in Aristotle’s metaphysics.

Cleary contends that one of the most revealing problems for the ambiguity of Aristotle’s relationship to Platonism is that of the ontological status of mathematical objects. In support of his claim, Cleary analyzes a curious passage from Aristotle’s Topics, where he appears to accept a schema of priorities that makes mathematical entities more substantial than sensible things.

How does Aristotle try to reconcile the ordering of things dictated by sciences like mathematics and dialectic with the ordering of sense experience upon which his own physics and metaphysics are based? To find the answer, Cleary reviews three different outlines of the many senses of priority given by Aristotle himself and found in Categories 12-13, Metaphysics Delta 11, and Metaphysics Theta 8. Cleary suggests there is an implicit hierarchy for Aristotle that leads him to posit the Prime Mover at its apex as complete actuality and, therefore, as the focus for the concept of priority. Having reviewed Aristotle’s treatment of the many uses of priority, Cleary demonstrates how the concept is used in some typical arguments by Aristotle for his mature metaphysical positions.

About this title

About the Author

John J. Cleary is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and Director of the Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Publication date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0809314657
• ISBN 13: 9780809314652
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 152