Week 4 Course Material

Course Slides and Readings

Before the fourth session, please read:

• Aristotle's Physics  Book 1, chapter 7 and 8; text here.

Further Reading

Optional Reading:

• Aristotle's Physics (https://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/physics.html)

  • Book 2, chapter 1, on nature

  • Book 2, chapter 3, on the types of causes

  • Book 3, chapter 1, on the definition of change

  • Book 5, chapter 1, on the types of change

Assignment

After the fourth session, please submit by Tuesday, March 25,  a 1,000 word paper in response to one of the following:

1. Outline in some detail the transmission of Aristotle’s works to 13th century Europe.

2. What is the difference between Plato's and Aristotle's understanding of form?

3. What does Aristotle mean when he speaks of the "principles of nature"? How many are there and what are they? Refer to the Physics, book 1, chapter 7.

4. Describe Aristotle’s doctrine of the categories, giving examples and differentiating between the two types of substance (primary and secondary). Critically evaluate whether the Aristotelian categories correctly and exhaustively describe reality.

5. Employing the notions of genus, species, and difference (differentia), describe the Aristotelian notion of definition, particularly as presented in Porphyry’s Tree. Make reference to the Categories and Isagoge.

6. Describe the Aristotelian notions of form and matter, and then explain how these notions solve a particular philosophical problem.

7. Giving examples, describe the different types of change as presented by Aristotle. Include an explanation as to why there are fewer types of accidental change than there are accidents.

8. Focusing on the notion of nature, explain how Aristotle attempts to resolve the difficulties regarding change faced by his predecessors (i.e., Parmenides, Heraclitus, Democritus etc.).

9. Describe the problem of the one and many, Plato's proposed solution to this problem, and, in light of this, Aristotle's proposed solution.

10. Another topic of interest proposed to the lecturer.