Aristotle’s Metaphysics Z as First Philosophy

Phronesis 68 (1):78–116 (2023)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Discussions of Aristotle’s Metaphysics Z tend to treat it either as an independent treatise on substance and essence or as preliminary to the main conclusions of the Metaphysics. I argue instead that Z is central to Aristotle’s project of first philosophy in the Metaphysics: the first philosopher seeks the first causes of being qua being, especially substances, and in Z, Aristotle establishes that essences or forms are the first causes of being of perceptible substances. I also argue that the centrality of Z to first philosophy is compatible with its status as theology.

Other Versions

No versions found

Similar books and articles

First Philosophy in Aristotle.Mary Louise Gill - 2008 - In Mary Louise Gill & Pierre Pellegrin, A Companion to Ancient Philosophy. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 347–373.
Some remarks on substance and essence in Aristotle’s Metaphysics Z.6.David Charles - 2011 - In Ben Morison & Katerina Ierodiakonou, Episteme, etc.: Essays in honour of Jonathan Barnes. Oxford, GB: Oxford University Press. pp. 151-171.
First Philosophy in Metaphysics Λ‎.Lindsay Judson - 2018 - Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 54.
First Philosophy In Metaphysics Λ .Lindsay Judson - 2018 - In Victor Caston, Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy, Volume 54. Oxford, GB: Oxford University Press. pp. 227-278.
New Essays on Aristotle.Francis Jeffry Pelletier & John King-Farlow - 1984 - [Calgary] : Produced for the C.A.P.P. by the University of Calgary Press.

Analytics

Added to PP
2021-10-23

Downloads
2,400 (#10,809)

6 months
646 (#4,202)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Samuel Meister
University of Geneva

Citations of this work

Add more citations

References found in this work

Priority in Aristotle’s Metaphysics.Michail Peramatzis - 2011 - Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Essays in ancient philosophy.Michael Frede (ed.) - 1987 - New York: Oxford University Press.
Aristotle's Metaphysics.Pamela M. Huby & H. G. Apostle - 1966 - Indiana University Press.

View all 99 references / Add more references