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THE CONCEPT OF CHANGE IN ARISTOTLE’S PHYSICS

Year 2021, Issue: 31, 119 - 132, 12.05.2021

Abstract

This study aims to investigate change as it is handled by Aristotle in Physics. With this aim, it analyzes the basic concepts which constitute the ground of this definition. In Physics, Aristotle starts with what is prior to us and moves to principles and causes. Thus, first, he elaborates on the things which are subject to change and he introduces the idea of categories. Substance as the first category is what underlies the change. Other categories are the properties that are applied to substance. Then he claims that the thing which underlies change functions as matter and the property which is predicated of substance at the end of change functions as form. Thus, change is described as having a form of a matter. In other words, in change, the matter is determined by form. But this determination can only be possible if the matter has the capacity to be determined in a specific way. It is called potential. When the form determines the matter, its potential is actualized. In Physics Book III, Aristotle defines change as the actualization of a potential. Some scholars argue that in the definition “actualization” refers to a process while others argue that it refers to having an end. In this study, considering Aristotle’s examples of actuality and potentiality, it is claimed that change involves both.

References

  • Anagnostopoulos, Andreas (2010). Change in Aristotle’s Physics 3. In Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy XXXIX. (ed. B. Inwood). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Aristotle (1985). Categories. In The Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1. (ed. J. Barnes). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • Aristotle (1985). Physics. In The Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1. (ed. J. Barnes). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • Barnes, Jonathan (2000). Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Bostock, David (2006). Space, Time, Matter and Form. Essay’s on Aristotle’s Physics. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Coope, Ursula (2009). Change, Actuality and Potentiality. Blackwell Companion to Philosophy: A Companion to Aristotle. (ed. G. Anagnostopoulos). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Hintikka, Jaakko (2004). Analyses of Aristotle. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  • Irwin, Terence (1988). Aristotle’s First Principles. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Kostman, James (1987). Aristotle’s Definition of Change. History of Philosophy Quarterly, Vol. 4. No. 1, pp. 3-16.
  • Rosen, Jacob (2012). Motion and Change in Aristotle’s “Physics” 5. 1. Phronesis. Vol. 57. No. 1, pp. 63-99.
  • Ross, David (1995). Aristotle. New York and London: Routledge.
  • Ross, David (1936). Aristotle’s Physic. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Waterlow, Sarah (1982). Nature, Change and Agency in Aristotle’s Physics: A Philosophical Study. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

ARİSTOTELES’İN FİZİK ESERİNDE DEĞİŞİM KAVRAMI

Year 2021, Issue: 31, 119 - 132, 12.05.2021

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Aristoteles’in Fizik eserinde, “değişim” kavramını nasıl ele aldığını incelemektedir. Bu amaçla, Aristoteles’in hangi kavramlardan hareketle değişimin tanımına ulaştığı ortaya konulmuştur. Aristoteles, bu eserde, deneyimlediğimiz şeylerden başlayarak ilkelere ve nedenlere yönelen bir araştırma sürdürür. Önce nelerin değişime uğradığı üzerinde durur ve kategoriler düşüncesini ortaya koyar. İlk kategori olarak töz, değişime rağmen değişmeden kalan şeydir. Diğer kategoriler, töze yüklenen niteliklerdir. Daha sonra, değişmeden kalan şeyin madde, değişimin sonunda töze yüklenen niteliğin de form olduğunu öne sürer. Böylece değişim, maddenin form kazanması olarak tanımlanır. Yani madde, form tarafından belirlenmektedir. Formun maddeyi belirlemesi, ancak, maddenin böyle bir belirlenme olanağına sahip olmasıyla mümkündür. Bu olanağa, potansiyel adı verilir. Formun maddeyi belirlemesi, maddenin potansiyelinin aktüel hale gelmesi anlamına gelir. Aristoteles de, Fizik Kitap III’te, değişimi, potansiyelin aktüel hale gelmesi olarak tanımlar. Bazı Aristoteles uzmanları, bu tanımda bahsi geçen “aktüel” ifadesinin bir etkinlik sürecine işaret ettiğini, diğerleri ise etkinlik süreci sonunda ulaşılan sonuca işaret ettiğini öne sürmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Aristoteles’in potansiyel ve aktüel ilişkisi için verdiği örnekler değerlendirilerek, değişimin hem süreci hem de sonucu içerdiği öne sürülmektedir.

References

  • Anagnostopoulos, Andreas (2010). Change in Aristotle’s Physics 3. In Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy XXXIX. (ed. B. Inwood). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Aristotle (1985). Categories. In The Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1. (ed. J. Barnes). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • Aristotle (1985). Physics. In The Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1. (ed. J. Barnes). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • Barnes, Jonathan (2000). Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Bostock, David (2006). Space, Time, Matter and Form. Essay’s on Aristotle’s Physics. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Coope, Ursula (2009). Change, Actuality and Potentiality. Blackwell Companion to Philosophy: A Companion to Aristotle. (ed. G. Anagnostopoulos). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Hintikka, Jaakko (2004). Analyses of Aristotle. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  • Irwin, Terence (1988). Aristotle’s First Principles. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Kostman, James (1987). Aristotle’s Definition of Change. History of Philosophy Quarterly, Vol. 4. No. 1, pp. 3-16.
  • Rosen, Jacob (2012). Motion and Change in Aristotle’s “Physics” 5. 1. Phronesis. Vol. 57. No. 1, pp. 63-99.
  • Ross, David (1995). Aristotle. New York and London: Routledge.
  • Ross, David (1936). Aristotle’s Physic. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Waterlow, Sarah (1982). Nature, Change and Agency in Aristotle’s Physics: A Philosophical Study. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
There are 13 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Philosophy
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Dilek Arlı Çil

Publication Date May 12, 2021
Submission Date February 28, 2021
Acceptance Date April 27, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Issue: 31

Cite

Chicago Arlı Çil, Dilek. “THE CONCEPT OF CHANGE IN ARISTOTLE’S PHYSICS”. FLSF Felsefe Ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 31 (May 2021): 119-32.

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