Time for Aristotle

by Ursula Coope

What is the relation between time and change? Does time depend on the mind? Is the present always the same or is it always different? Aristotle tackles these questions in the Physics . In the first book in English exclusively devoted to this discussion, Ursula Coope argues that Aristotle sees time as a universal order within which all changes are related to each other. This interpretation enables her to explain two striking Aristotelian that the now is like a moving thing, and that time depends for its existence on the mind.

Genres: Philosophy

206 pages, Hardcover

First published December 22, 2005

Reviews

[Boris]

While preparing lectures on Aristotle's thought on time, I read this little book by Ursula Coope. I am impressed. It meticulously traces Aristotle's work, providing context and explanations to all of its sections, one by one. Coope answered many of my questions about this part of the Physics, for example concerning the enigmatic idea of 'magnitude' and its relation to movement. Therefore, I recommend this book to all those that have studied the Physics without being able to solve all of its mysteries.

[Brandon Stariha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible in-depth examination on a challenging section and challenging topic in general. This book was enlightening and illuminated a notoriously difficult couple of chapters in Aristotle’s Physics. (The fact that this book is 200+ pages and is meant to explain a mere 12ish pages of Aristotle is a mark to the complexity and depth of Aristotle’s theory of time)

Would recommend to anyone interested in time or Aristotle.