The Doctrine of Being in the Aristotelian Metaphysics: A Study in the Greek Background of Mediaeval Thought

by Joseph Owens, Étienne Gilson (Introduction)

The problem of being is central to Western metaphysics. Etched sharply in the verses of Parmenides, it took on distinctive colouring in Aristotle as the subject matter of a science expressly labelled 'theological.' For Aristotle, being could not be shared in generic fashion by other natures. As a nature it had to be found not in various species but in a primary instance only. The science specified by the primary nature was accordingly the one science that under the aspect of being treated universally of whatever is: it dealt with being qua being.

Genres: Philosophy, Metaphysics, Nonfiction

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Joseph Owens (April 17, 1908 – October 30, 2005) was a Canadian Roman Catholic priest and a philosopher specializing in the thought of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and medieval philosophy.

Reviews

[Claire Binkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was specifically its exposition on literally just the to-be verb in Latin and Greek, with only passing mention of the intense feelings religiosity wreaks on an open mind. [This makes me cautious about facing every situation (particularly relating with people intensely wrapped up in their faiths) with an open mind, considering the maxim, If you open your mind, all kinds of shit fall in.]

The metaphysical ideology thrives, but I was busy striving to clear my mind from the severe headaches which had recently started knocking on my mind's front door, compounding the issue of whatever the architect prescribed to repair the broken window off the left, which had been letting in the night chill.

So, this is a big thick book I finished a few days ago, but which I hadn't the energy to comment about too much, considering several other major life events occurring to me and my family.

[Crispy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Owens' account of the doctrine of being ( ie. essence) in Aristotle's metaphysics is masterly. Well written, meticulously researched, a joy to read. The footnotes could be published as novel (but that's just me, I have a footnote fetish) It also contains a lucidly detailed discussion of how to approach Aristotle from a methodological point of view. In particular, Owen's discusses the importance of the use of doxa (commonly understood elements of thought or widely agreed upon statements) in Aristotle's teaching strategy. Overall, an explanation of dialectic, being, substance and ontology that, while technical, also makes sense. So prepared, one can read both Aristotelian and Scholastic philosophy with a greater degree of confidence.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

requires several reads.