Read and discuss the first three books of Aristotle’s Metaphysics
The Metaphysics of Aristotle is one of the most influential texts of the European tradition. Aristotle opens with a summary and critical analysis of the philosophical schools that preceded him, including Plato. The esoteric Plato found in Aristotle is remarkably different from the Plato we find in his dialogues. Following this review, Aristotle moves towards presenting all the key aspect of his own view, so that by the end of Book III we have gained the best overall introduction to Aristotle found anywhere in his own words.
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BOOKINGS NOW OPEN for Twilight Term 2024
Starting Thursday 24 October in Carlton (+Online)
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Access to the text
The translation in Penguin (PDF) is most readily available. It has an introduction and glossary.
Some folks prefer the Sach translation, while others like to keep an eye on the original Greek as they read the Loeb edition (Vol 1).
Course Outline
The first 3 books are called Books 1, 2 and 3 or otherwise Books Α, Α ελαττον and Β (Alpha, Alpha lesser and Beta). The page numbers are given according to the standard pagination that should be in the margins of all translations.
Session 1 | Introduction to Metaphysics | page 983a25 – 985b23
Introducing an enquiry into sense, experience, craft, knowledge and wisdom
Session 2 | The First Philosophers | page 983a25 – 985b23
Examining Aristotle’s peculiar take on the philosophers that preceded Plato
Session 3 | The Four Causes and the Mathematicians | page 985b24 to 988a15
Examining Aristotle’s peculiar take on Pythagorean mathematical philosophy, Plato and his first Academic successors
Session 4 | Review of prior metaphysics | page 988a15 to 993a25 (end Bk I)
A critical review of all prior philosophies introduces Aristotle’s own distinctive approach.
Reading the short Book II (Α ελαττον, Alpha-lesser) is optional.
Session 5 | First Principles | page 995a to 999a25
Knowing and the known object
Session 6 | Universals | Page 999a to 103a20 (end Bk III)
“Universals” and their abstraction from individual things