Commentary on Aristotle's Physics

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ISBN: 9781883357764 | 1883357764
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 9/1/1999

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The fine editions of the Aristotelian Commentary Series make available long out-of-print commentaries of St. Thomas on Aristotle. Each volume has the full text of Aristotle with Bekker numbers, followed by the commentary of St. Thomas, cross-referenced using an easily accessible mode of referring to Aristotle in the Commentary.

Each volume is beautifully printed and bound using the finest materials. All copies are printed on acid-free paper and Smyth sewn. They will last.

Foreword to the Dumb Ox Edition

xiii

Ralph McInerny

Translators' Preface

Introduction

xvii

Vernon J. Bourke

BOOK I. THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL THINGS

The matter and the subject of natural science and of this book. We must proceed from the more universal principles which are better known to us.

(6)

The opinions of the ancient philosophers about the principles of nature and of beings. It does not pertain to natural science to disprove some of these opinions.

(6)

The assertion of Parmenides and Melissus that all things are one being is refuted

(4)

The later philosophers also were involved in this same error, namely, that the one and the many could not in any way concur

(2)

The argument of Melissus is answered

(3)

The argument of Parmenides is answered in a number of ways

(6)

He disproves the position of those who said that non-being is something

(3)

The opinions of the Physicists who spoke of the principles as natural philosophers

(2)

The opinion of Anaxagoras that the principles are infinite are refuted

(8)

The opinions of the ancients concerning the contrariety of the first principles

(6)

There are three principles of natural things, no more, no less

(6)

In every coming to be three principles are to be found: the subject, the terminus of the production, and its opposite

(5)

There are two per se principles of the being and of the becoming of natural things, namely, matter and form, and on per accidens principle, namely, privation

(5)

The problems and the errors of the ancients which spring from an ignorance of matter are resolved by the truth about the principles already determined

(5)

Matter is distinguished from privation. Matter is neither generable nor corruptible per se

(6)

BOOK II. THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL SCIENCE

What is nature? What things have a nature? What things are `according to nature'?

(5)

Nature is both matter and form, but primarily form

(4)

How physics and mathematics differ in their consideration of the same thing

(5)

Physics considers not only matter but also every form existing in matter

(5)

Physics determines what the causes are and how many species of causes there are

(6)

Concerning the different modes of causing and those things which are consequent upon these different modes of causing

(4)

Different opinions about fortune and chance, the hidden causes

103

(4)

After making certain divisions among effects and causes, he concludes to a definition of fortune

107

(4)

The meaning of the things which the ancient philosophers and the common man say about fortune

111

(3)

The difference between chance and fortune. The causes are neither more nor less than four.

114

(6)

Natural philosophy demonstrates from all of the four genera of causes

120

(5)

The argument of those who deny that nature acts for an end

125

(3)

It is demonstrated that nature acts for an end

128

(3)

He demonstrates that nature acts for an end from the evidence from which some conclude to the opposite position

131

(4)

How necessity is found in natural things

135

(5)

BOOK III. MOBILE BEING IN COMMON

Natural science treats motion and those things which are consequent upon motion. Certain divisions which are necessary for the investigation of the definition of motion

140

(5)

The definition of motion

145

(4)

The definition of motion has been well formulated

149

(3)

Motion is the act of the mobile object as the subject in which and the act of the mover as the cause by which

152

(4)

What action and passion are the same motion

156

(7)

Physics considers the infinite. The opinions of the ancients concerning the infinite.

163

(6)

Arguments which persuade us that the infinite exists. The meanings of `infinite.' An infinite separated from sensible things must be denied.

169

(6)

An infinite in act in sensible things cannot be granted. This is shown first from logical arguments, secondly with natural arguments, on the supposition that the elements of bodies are finite in number

175

(4)

He proves without suppositions that there is no actually infinite sensible body

179

(6)

The infinite exists, not as being in act, but as being in potency. Different infinites are compared with each other.

185

(6)

The definition of the infinite

191

(4)

The meanings of things which are said about the infinite

195

(5)

He answers the arguments which were brought forth in Lecture 7 to show that the infinite exists not only in potency but also in act

200

(2)

BOOK IV. PLACE, VOID AND TIME, THE MEASURES OF MOBILE BEING

The study of place pertains to natural science. Probable reasons are given to show that place exists.

202

(5)

Six probable arguments are given to show that place does not exist

207

(3)

He argues whether place is form or matter

210

(4)

Various ways in which something is said to be in something. Whether something can be in `itself.' Certain difficulties about the existence and nature of place are answered.

214

(6)

Certain things necessary to investigate the definition of place are set forth

220

(4)

The definition of place.

224

(7)

What things are in place simply. How that which is not in place simply is in place accidentally.

231

(6)

From the given definition of place the difficulties raised in Lecture 2 are solved, and the nature of the properties of place is established

237

(3)

The treatment of the void pe4rtains to natural philosophy. Opinions and arguments affirming and denying the existence of the void

240

(5)

What the word `void' means. The arguments of those who posit a void are refuted.

245

(5)

It is shown from motion that there is no separated void

250

(4)

It is shown from the speed and slowness in motion that there is no separated void

254

(8)

It is shown from the void itself that there is no separated void

262

(3)

There is no void in bodies

265

(7)

It is argued whether time exists and whether the same `now' is in all time

272

(3)

By means of disputation he inquires what time is and how it is related to motion

275

(3)

The definition of time is given and explained

278

(5)

How the same `now' is or is not in the whole of time. The meaning of things which are said of the `now'

283

(5)

Certain things which are usually said about time are clarified

288

(3)

How motion and other things are in time. What things are, and what things are not in time.

291

(6)

He compares time to things which are in the `now.' The meaning of `now' (nunc), `then' (tunc), `presently' (iam), `lately' (modo), `long ago' (olim), and `suddenly' (repente).

297

(4)

How corruption is attributed to time. All motion and mutation is in time.

301

(3)

Difficulties concerning the existence and unity of time are answered

304

(7)

BOOK V. THE DIVISION OF MOTION INTO ITS SPECIES

Motion per se is distinguished from motion per accidens. Only motion per se must be treated

311

(6)

The species of mutation are established. It is shown which of these species is motion in the strict sense.

317

(5)

There is no motion per se in the categories other than quantity, quality, and where

322

(10)

He concludes that there is motion only in quantity, quality, and where. He explains how there is motion in these three genera and what he means by `immobile.'

332

(3)

He defines `contact,' `succession,' `continuity,' and other related things

335

(6)

The generic, specific, and numerical unity of motion

341

(5)

More concerning the numerical unity of motion. Two secondary types of unity in motion.

346

(5)

The contrariety of motions

351

(5)

The contrariety of rest to motion and of rest to rest

356

(5)

Certain difficulties are answered

361

(7)

BOOK VI. THE DIVISION OF MOTION INTO ITS QUANTITATIVE PARTS

No continuum is composed of indivisible parts

368

(4)

If Magnitude is composed of indivisible parts, then so is motion. But this is impossible.

372

(4)

The divisibility of time follows from the divisibility of magnitude, and vice versa

376

(6)

The finite and the infinite are found in both magnitude and time in the same way. It is proven that no continuum is indivisible.

382

(5)

The `now' of time is indivisible. In the `now' of time nothing is either moved or at rest. Whatever is moved is divisible. Certain difficulties are answered.

387

(10)

Two ways in which motion is divided

397

(6)

The part of time in which a thing has first been moved is indivisible. How there can be a first motion.

403

(8)

Before every `being moved' there is a `has been moved.' And before every `has been moved' there is a `being moved.'

411

(9)

The finite and the infinite are found together in magnitude, time, motion, and the mobile body

420

(6)

The division of rest and of coming to rest

426

(6)

The arguments of Zeno, who tried to deny all motion, are answered

432

(8)

That which is without quantitative parts can be moved only accidentally

440

(4)

No mutation is infinite in its proper species. How motion can be infinite in time.

444

(3)

BOOK VII. THE COMPARISON OF MOVERS AND MOBILE OBJECTS

Whatever is moved must be moved by another

447

(5)

Mobile objects and motions cannot proceed to infinity. There must be an immobile first mover.

452

(5)

In local motion the mover and the moved must be together

457

(7)

In alteration and in increase and decrease the mover and the moved are together

464

(4)

There is no alteration in the fourth species of quality (form and figure) nor in the first species of quality (habit and disposition) in regard to the body

468

(4)

There is no alteration in the first species of quality in regard to habits of the soul

472

(7)

The comparison of motions. He shows in general what is required for things to be comparable.

479

(7)

From the principles established in the preceding lecture he shows which motions are comparable to each other

486

(8)

Rules for comparison of motions

494

(5)

BOOK VIII. THE FIRST MOTION AND THE FIRST MOVER

Whether or not motion began or will end

499

(5)

Arguments for the eternity of motion

504

(13)

Arguments against Anaxagoras and Empedocles who held that motion is not eternal

517

(4)

He answers arguments which seem to prove that motion is not eternal

521

(5)

Things may be moved or at rest in five ways. The two ways are dismissed.

526

(6)

It cannot be said that some things are always at rest and all other things are always moved

532

(4)

Whatever is moved is moved by another

536

(6)

He explains how heavy and light things are moved

542

(5)

It is impossible for a thing to be moved by another to infinity. It is not necessary that every mover be moved.

547

(9)

How a thing moves itself

556

(6)

How the parts of a self-mover are related to each other, and how the whole is said to move itself with respect to them

562

(4)

The first mover is immobile and one

566

(5)

The first mover is eternal and immobile. The first motion is eternal.

571

(6)

Local motion is the first motion

577

(6)

Only local motion can be continuous and eternal

583

(4)

No local motion other than circular motion can be continuous and eternal

587

(5)

From the foregoing certain difficulties are answered

592

(8)

He shows with logical arguments that circular motion is not continuous

600

(4)

He shows with proper arguments that circular motion can be continuous and that circular motion is the first motion

604

(5)

He shows with common and logical arguments that circular motion is continuous and first. According to the opinions of the ancient philosophers local motion is the first motion.

609

(4)

A finite mover cannot move in an infinite time. An infinite power cannot reside in a finite magnitude. A finite power cannot reside in an infinite magnitude.

613

(13)

The problem of projectile motion

626

(3)

The first mover cannot have magnitude

629

(6)

Appendix A

635

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