Overview

Focusing primarily on Aristotle's Physics Alpha, an attempt is made to establish the structure and significance of the Aristotelian analogy. Traditionally, the concept of analogy in Aristotle has been treated along two lines of interpretation. In this book, these are referred to as the mathematical interpretation and the correlative interpretation. The mathematical approach claims that the Aristotelian analogy only accounts for proportional comparisons between usually four things. On the other hand, the correlative interpretation describes the Aristotelian analogy as something that unites the multiple uses of a single term (the many uses of healthy, for example). This book will argue that both of these interpretations overlook the nature of the Aristotelian analogy. The structure of analogy can be taken from Aristotle's discussion of the three principles of natural becoming in his Physics Alpha. In Physics Alpha, Aristotle claims that these three principles are: 1) the being in its addressable form (logos); 2) the course of becoming of that addressable being (steresis); 3) the substance that remains the same throughout the change (hypokeimenon). Although the first principle, logos, accounts for addressability, the other two do not. The second and third principles are inseparable from logos but always remain hidden from addressability (ana-logos). This book will argue that these principles reveal a structure of analogy that discloses an inherent mobility of logos which enables it to reflect the intuitive and ever-changing principles of becoming. As such, the relationship between Logos and intuition (nous) can be reimagined.

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9780739198704

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Reviews

Eric Schumacher here offers an ambitious and original interpretation of the concept of analogy in Aristotle's Physics. In his reading, analogy becomes intimately linked to the movements of nature, insofar as it is capable of making visible not only the formal and quantitative characteristics of natural beings, but also their privations and silent features. -- Russell Winslow, St. John's College Delving into Aristotle's Physics, Eric Schumacher shows that analogy, far from a matter of proportion or semantic kinship, lies at (or as) the root of logos. For logos never unfolds alone, but always alongside that which it addresses, always together with the silence of beings in their becoming. Besides allowing for novel approaches to the arduous relation of logos and nous, this stunning book radically reconfigures the meaning of logos, illuminating its rigor and creativity, precision and dynamism, privation and many-way-ness. -- Claudia Baracchi, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania The problem of analogy is one of the most difficult and important topics in philosophy. Eric Schumacher here offers the most comprehensive and cogent treatment of the Aristotelian sense of analogy that has been available to date. He clearly and concisely articulates and distinguishes the two senses of analogy that are traditionally attributed to Aristotle, focal meaning (analogy of attribution) and proportionality. He then unfolds an original and decisive argument that there is in Aristotle a third sense of analogy, connected with privation (steresis) and a-logos that brings these two senses of analogy together into an overall coherent account. Schumacher has a profound appreciation of the importance of the problem of analogy in Medieval and contemporary accounts of logic, language and being. -- Walter Brogan, Villanova University

Eric Schumacher here offers an ambitious and original interpretation of the concept of analogy in Aristotle's Physics. In his reading, analogy becomes intimately linked to the movements of nature, insofar as it is capable of making visible not only the formal and quantitative characteristics of natural beings, but also their privations and silent features. -- Russell Winslow, St. John's College Delving into Aristotle's Physics, Eric Schumacher shows that analogy, far from a matter of proportion or semantic kinship, lies at (or as) the root of logos. For logos never unfolds alone, but always alongside that which it addresses, always together with the silence of beings in their becoming. Besides allowing for novel approaches to the arduous relation of logos and nous, this stunning book radically reconfigures the meaning of logos, illuminating its rigor and creativity, precision and dynamism, privation and many-way-ness. -- Claudia Baracchi, University of Milan The problem of analogy is one of the most difficult and important topics in philosophy. Eric Schumacher here offers the most comprehensive and cogent treatment of the Aristotelian sense of analogy that has been available to date. He clearly and concisely articulates and distinguishes the two senses of analogy that are traditionally attributed to Aristotle, focal meaning (analogy of attribution) and proportionality. He then unfolds an original and decisive argument that there is in Aristotle a third sense of analogy, connected with privation (steresis) and a-logos that brings these two senses of analogy together into an overall coherent account. Schumacher has a profound appreciation of the importance of the problem of analogy in Medieval and contemporary accounts of logic, language and being. -- Walter Brogan, Villanova University The book is an eminently readable analysis of Aristotelian analogy. Dr. Schumacher's characterization is lucid and insightful, and will prove invaluable to scholars working in both the continental and analytic traditions. -- Lisa Schoenberg, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Eric Schumacher here offers an ambitious and original interpretation of the concept of analogy in Aristotle's Physics. In his reading, analogy becomes intimately linked to the movements of nature, insofar as it is capable of making visible not only the formal and quantitative characteristics of natural beings, but also their privations and silent features. -- Russell Winslow, St. John's College Delving into Aristotle's Physics, Eric Schumacher shows that analogy, far from a matter of proportion or semantic kinship, lies at (or as) the root of logos. For logos never unfolds alone, but always alongside that which it addresses, always together with the silence of beings in their becoming. Besides allowing for novel approaches to the arduous relation of logos and nous, this stunning book radically reconfigures the meaning of logos, illuminating its rigor and creativity, precision and dynamism, privation and many-way-ness. -- Claudia Baracchi, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania The problem of analogy is one of the most difficult and important topics in philosophy. Eric Schumacher here offers the most comprehensive and cogent treatment of the Aristotelian sense of analogy that has been available to date. He clearly and concisely articulates and distinguishes the two senses of analogy that are traditionally attributed to Aristotle, focal meaning (analogy of attribution) and proportionality. He then unfolds an original and decisive argument that there is in Aristotle a third sense of analogy, connected with privation (steresis) and a-logos that brings these two senses of analogy together into an overall coherent account. Schumacher has a profound appreciation of the importance of the problem of analogy in Medieval and contemporary accounts of logic, language and being. -- Walter Brogan, Villanova University The book is an eminently readable analysis of Aristotelian analogy. Dr. Schumacher's characterization is lucid and insightful, and will prove invaluable to scholars working in both the continental and analytic traditions. -- Lisa Schoenberg, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Author Information

Eric Schumacher is associate professor of philosophy at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

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