Aristotle on Time
A Study of the Physics

This book is a unique interpretation of Aristotle's sophisticated analyses of motion and perception and how they were inspired by Plato.

Tony Roark (Author)

9781107002623, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 February 2011

248 pages, 7 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm, 0.54 kg

'The progression of the argument is careful and logical, the depth and breadth of Roark's analysis is courageous and penetrating, and some tracts of the argument are deliciously incisive.' The Muse

Aristotle's definition of time as 'a number of motion with respect to the before and after' has been branded as patently circular by commentators ranging from Simplicius to W. D. Ross. In this book Tony Roark presents an interpretation of the definition that renders it not only non-circular, but also worthy of serious philosophical scrutiny. He shows how Aristotle developed an account of the nature of time that is inspired by Plato while also thoroughly bound up with Aristotle's sophisticated analyses of motion and perception. When Aristotle's view is properly understood, Roark argues, it is immune to devastating objections against the possibility of temporal passage articulated by McTaggart and other 20th-century philosophers. Roark's novel and fascinating interpretation of Aristotle's temporal theory will appeal to those interested in Aristotle, ancient philosophy and the philosophy of time.

Preface
Introduction
Part I. Times New and Old: 1. McTaggart's systems
2. Countenancing the Doxai
Part II. The Mater of Time: Motion: 3. Time is not motion
4. Aristotelian motion (Kinesis)
5. 'The before and after in motion'
Part III. The Form of Time: Perception: 6. Number (Arithmos) and perception (Aisthesis)
7. On a moment's notice
8. The role of imagination
9. Time and the common perceptibles
10. The hylomorphic interpretation illustrated
Part IV. Simultaneity and Temporal Passage: 11. Simultaneity and other temporal relations
12. Temporal passage
13. Dissolving the puzzles of IV.10
14. Concluding summary and historical significance
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]