Simplicius On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.10-12 [Paperback]

In the three chapters ofOn the Heavensdealt with in this volume, Aristotle argues that the universe is ungenerated and indestructible. In Simplicius' commentary, translated here, we see a battle royal between the Neoplatonist Simplicius and the Aristotelian Alexander, whose lost commentary on Aristotle'sOn the HeavensSimplicius partly preserves. Simplicius' rival, the Christian Philoponus, had conducted a parallel battle in hisAgainst Proclusbut had taken the side of Alexander against Proclus and other Platonists, arguing that Plato'sTimaeusgives a beginning to the universe. Simplicius takes the Platonist side, denying that Plato intended a beginning. The origin to which Plato refers is, according to Simplicius, not a temporal origin, but the divine cause that produces the world without beginning.

R.J. Hankinsonis Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, USA. His translations ofSimplicius: On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.1-4andSimplicius: On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.5-9are also available in the series.

Here is a battle royal between the Neoplatonist Simplicius and the Aristotelian Alexander on the origins, if any, of the universe. A parallel battle had already been conducted by Philoponus and Proclus, arguing that Plato's Timaeus gives a beginning to the universe. Simplicius denies this.

Preface
Textual Emendations
Translation
Notes
Select Bibliography
English-Greek Glossary
Greek-English Index
Subject Index