|
|
Sold Out
Book Categories |
Book 3 of Aristotle's Physics primarily concerns two important concepts for his theory of nature: change and infinity. Change is important because, in Book 2, he has defined nature - the subject-matter of the Physics - as an internal source of change. Much of his discussion is dedicated to showing that the change occurs in the patient which undergoes it, not in the agent which causes it. Thus Book 3 is an important step in clearing the way for Book 8's claims for a divine mover who causes change but in whom no change occurs. The second half of Book 3 introduces Aristotle's doctrine of infinity as something which is always potential, never actual, never traversed and never multiplied. Here, as elsewhere, Philoponus the Christian turns Aristotle's own infinity arguments against the pagan Neoplatonist belief in a beginningless universe. Such a universe, Philoponus replies, would involve actual infinity of past years already traversed, and a multiple number of past days. The commentary also contains intimations of the doctrine of impetus - which has been regarded, in its medieval context, as a scientific revolution - as well as striking examples of Philoponus' use of thought experiments to establish philosophical and broadly scientific conclusions.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Jhon Brown
reviewed On Aristotle Physics 3 on September 29, 2016
On Aristotle Physics 3
This is Galilei's second Dialogue and this book is not on world systems but on his scientific work, more particularly on his law of free fall and on projectile motion.
(I read parts of this book as additional source material in a physics course, so don't take this review too literally.)
Galilei wrote Two New Sciences in his dying days, while suffering from illness and his lifelong house arrest by the Church. Since he wasn't allowed to publish on astronomy anymore - this was considered to inflammatory to Christian tastes - he decided to publish on physics.
Almost everybody knows the infamous inclined planes which Galilei used to study motion of falling objects. His (consequently discovered) law of free fall is one of the ingredients that Isaac Newton would use to synthesize a whole new mechanical world system in his Principia.
Anyway, falling objects and projectile motions are the objects of this second Dialogue. And I have to admit that I found this book less readable than Siderius Nuncius or Dialogues concerning Two Chief World Systems. There is a lot more mathematics in this book, and a lot less dialogue; hence, it feels somewhat forced at times.
But then again, I didn't read the whole book, just big, loose parts as additional information. I cannot really recommend this book; it's less important as an historical document (compared to his two earlier mentioned works) and it's less accessible (again, compared to his other two works).
As a closing remark, I have to add that this edition is rather cheap. It looks like it's printed to get easy money; the translation is correct, but there are no introductory notes, no references, no end notes, etc. Also, I find it strange that this book - which is definitely a stand-alone work - is not added on Goodreads (I added this edition, since there are no alternatives available). Strange...
Login|Complaints|Blog|Games|Digital Media|Souls|Obituary|Contact Us|FAQ
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? CLICK HERE!!! X
You must be logged in to add to WishlistX
This item is in your Wish List
X
This item is in your Collection
On Aristotle Physics 3
X
This Item is in Your Inventory
On Aristotle Physics 3
X
You must be logged in to review the productsX
X
X
Add On Aristotle Physics 3, , On Aristotle Physics 3 to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
X
Add On Aristotle Physics 3, , On Aristotle Physics 3 to your collection on WonderClub |