John Philoponus on Physical Place

This book explores the concept of place in natural philosophy, challenging Aristotle's ideas and proposing a physical model by John Philoponus that provides solutions to problems raised by the Aristotelian tradition. Philoponus' account is considered a remarkable episode in the history of philosophy and science, as it pertains to the study of physics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 193 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2021
Publisher: Leuven University Press

This book delves into the profound examination of the significance of physical bodies, a central theme in natural philosophy that has captivated philosophers since antiquity. In his philosophical commentary on Aristotle's Physics, John Philoponus (circa. 485-570) systematically challenged Aristotle's conceptions of place (topos) and the void (kenon). The primary focus of the present study lies in an in-depth exploration of the concept of place established by Philoponus, presenting the argument that the latter provides satisfactory resolutions to the issues raised by Aristotle and the Aristotelian tradition concerning the nature of place. Philoponus' account posits a precise physical model of how physical bodies exist and navigate within their spatial context, perceiving place as an inherent facet of the physical cosmos. As a result of this model, his account can be regarded as strictly limited to the realm of physics, thereby marking a remarkable chapter in the history of philosophy and science.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462702745