Aristotle on the Nature of Analogy

The traditional interpretations of Aristotle's analogy overlook its structure and significance. This book argues that the analogy can be understood by examining the three principles of natural "becoming" in his Physics Alpha: logos, sterēsis, and hypokeimenon. The second and third principles are inseparable from logos but hidden from addressability, revealing an inherent mobility of logos that enables it to reflect the intuitive and ever-changing principles of becoming. This reimagines the relationship between Logos and intuition (nous).

Format: Hardback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2018
Publisher: Lexington Books

Here is the rephrased text:

Aristotle's Physics Alpha provides a valuable insight into the structure and significance of the Aristotelian analogy. Traditionally, two main interpretations have been proposed: the mathematical interpretation and the correlative interpretation. The mathematical approach limits the analogy to proportional comparisons between typically four elements, while the correlative interpretation sees it as a unifying concept that encompasses the various uses of a single term. This book aims to challenge these interpretations by examining the three principles of natural "becoming" discussed in Physics Alpha.

In Physics Alpha, Aristotle asserts that these three principles are:

1. The being in its addressable form (logos).
2. The course of becoming of that addressable being (sterēsis).
3. The substance that remains the same throughout the change (hypokeimenon).

While the first principle, logos, accounts for addressability, the other two principles, sterēsis and hypokeimenon, are inseparable from logos but remain hidden from addressability (ana-logos). This book argues that these principles unveil a structure of analogy that reveals the inherent mobility of logos, enabling it to reflect the intuitive and ever-changing principles of becoming. As a result, the relationship between Logos and intuition (nous) can be reimagined.

By exploring the structure of analogy revealed in Aristotle's Physics Alpha, this book offers a fresh perspective on the nature and role of analogy in philosophical inquiry. It sheds light on the dynamic interplay between Logos and intuition, challenging traditional interpretations and opening up new avenues for understanding the complexities of philosophical thought.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780739198704