Du rythme et des opposés : Note sur Aristote Métaphysique Λ 1075b12-13 : ἐὰν μὴ ῥυθμίσῃ τις
Journal
Philosophie antique
ISSN
1634-4561
2648-2789
Publisher
Librairie Philosophique J. Vrin
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Lévystone, David
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
Abstract
The paper argues that the usual contemporary understanding and translation of Aristotle’s affirmation in Metaph. Λ, 1075b12-13 πάντες δ᾽ οἱ τἀναντία λέγοντες οὐ χρῶνται τοῖς ἐναντίοις, ἐὰν μὴ ῥυθμίσῃ τις relies on a misconception of the signification of the verb ῥυθμίζω. A short survey of the meaning and uses of the verb in vth and ivth BC texts, and a careful reading of its interpretations by the ancient commentators who paid attention to this specific passage of Aristotle (Ps.-Alexander, Aquinas, Averroes, Themistius), shows that ῥυθμίζω may be taken in its technical, metaphysical sense (to ‘form’, ‘to add a form [on matter]’), as it was found also in Democritus or Antiphon. A correct understanding of the verb leads to a new interpretation of this passage of Aristotle, by revealing a more complete and accurate criticism of the theses that he intends here to denounce. ©Librairie Philosophique J. Vrin ©The author.
License
Acceso Abierto
How to cite
Lévystone, D. (2022). Du rythme et des opposés. In Philosophie antique (Issue 22, pp. 213–233). OpenEdition. https://doi.org/10.4000/philosant.6268
Table of contents
1. ῥυθμίζω dans les textes philosophiques (ve/ive) et chez Aristote -- 2. Les commentateurs anciens -- 3. Qu’est-ce qui structure les contraires? -- 4. Une allusion à Démocrite?