Aristotle's concept of chance : accidents, cause, necessity, and determinism / John Dudley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dudley, John, 1967-

Series:

SUNY series in ancient Greek philosophy.

SUNY series in ancient Greek philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Aristotle.

Chance.

Probabilities.

Necessity (Philosophy).

Free will and determinism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (486 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : SUNY Press, c2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This landmark book is the first to provide a comprehensive account of Aristotle's concept of chance. Chance is invoked by many to explain order in the universe, the origins of life, even human freedom and happiness. An understanding of Aristotle's concept of chance is indispensable for an appreciation of his views on nature and ethics, views which have had a tremendous influence on the development of Western philosophy. Author John Dudley analyzes Aristotle's account of chance in the Physics, the Metaphysics, in his biological and ethical treatises, and in a number of his other works as well. Important complementary considerations such as Aristotle's criticism of Presocratic philosophers, particularly Empedocles and Democritus, Plato's concept of chance, the chronology of Aristotle's works, and the relevance of Aristotle's work to evolution and quantum theory are also covered in depth. This is an essential book for scholars and students of Western philosophy.

Contents:

pt. 1. Chance in the physics of Aristotle

pt. 2. Chance in the ethics of Aristotle

pt. 3. Implications of Aristotle's concept of chance.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781438432281

1438432283

OCLC:

802046075