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Alexander AfrodisiyskiyPeripatetic philosopher, commentator on Aristotle.
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Alexander of Aphrodisias: The Peripatetic Philosopher
- Philosophical Commentaries
- Distinctive Thinking
- The Exegète and the Alexandrians
- Works
Alexander of Aphrodisias: The Peripatetic Philosopher
Early Life and EducationAlexander of Aphrodisias, also known as Alexander of Caria, was a prominent philosopher in the 1st century AD. Born in Aphrodisias, Caria (modern-day Turkey), he studied under the guidance of Aristocles of Messene and Sosigenes.
Philosophical Commentaries
Alexander is renowned for his influential commentaries on the works of Aristotle. Notably, his commentary on "Metaphysics" was highly acclaimed for its originality and later translated into Latin by Sepúlveda in the 16th century. Many of his writings survive only in Arabic translations.
Distinctive Thinking
Unlike other Aristotelian commentators, Alexander exhibited independent thinking. He engaged in incisive discussions on metaphysics, challenging the views of the Stoics. His critique of logic as a normative discipline, "Canonica," instigated a centuries-long debate on its nature and purpose.
The Exegète and the Alexandrians
Alexander's profound understanding of Aristotle's philosophy earned him the title "Exegète" (interpreter). His teachings inspired a school of followers known as Alexandrians, or Alexandrists. During the Renaissance, Alexandrists were proponents of an Aristotelian interpretation that emphasized natural science, particularly on the question of the soul's immortality.
Works
Alexander's extensive writings include:"On Fate and Free Will"
"Natural Questions"
"On the Soul"
"Commentaries on Aristotle's Metaphysics"
"Commentaries on Aristotle's Prior Analytics"
"Commentaries on Aristotle's Topics"
Unfounded Attributions and Contributions
Alexander has been erroneously credited with two medical treatises: "De Febribus" and "Problemata." Additionally, his work contributed to our understanding of sensory perception, particularly vision.
