The Activity of Being - An Essay on Aristotle's Ontology (Hardcover, New)

Understanding "what something is" is a project that has long occupied philosophers. Perhaps no thinker in the Western tradition has had more influence on how we approach this question than Aristotle, whose Metaphysics remains the locus classicus of rigorous examinations into the nature of being. Now, in an elegantly argued new study, Aryeh Kosman reinterprets Aristotle's ontology and compels us to reexamine some of our most basic assumptions about the great philosopher's thought. For Aristotle, to ask "what something is" is to inquire into a specific mode of its being, something ordinarily regarded as its "substance." But to understand substance, we need the concept of energeia-a Greek term usually translated as "actuality." In a move of far-reaching consequence, Kosman explains that the correct translation of energeia is not "actuality" but "activity." We have subtly misunderstood the Metaphysics on this crucial point, says Kosman. Aristotle conceives of substance as a kind of dynamic activity, not some inert quality. Substance is something actively being what it is. Kosman demonstrates how this insight significantly alters our understanding of a number of important concepts in Aristotelian thought, from accounts of motion, consciousness, and essence to explanations of the nature of animal and divine being. Whether it is approached as an in-depth introduction to Aristotle's metaphysics or as a highly original reassessment sure to spark debate, there can be no argument that The Activity of Being is a major contribution to our understanding of one of philosophy's most important thinkers.

General

Imprint:	Harvard University Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	March 2013
First published:	March 2013
Authors:	Aryeh Kosman
Dimensions:	235 x 156 x 25mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Cloth over boards / With printed dust jacket
Pages:	278
Edition:	New
ISBN-13:	978-0-674-07286-2
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Metaphysics & ontology Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Ancient Western philosophy to c 500 > General Books > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Metaphysics & ontology Books > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Ancient Western philosophy to c 500 > General
LSN:	0-674-07286-3
Barcode:	9780674072862

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!