The Mysterious Aristotelian Olive

Bibliographic Data

ID4516377
AuthorsRobert Wardy (University of Cambridge, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume18
Issue1
Pages69-91
Publication date2005-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScience in Context (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-8897 • E-ISSN: 1474-0664
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0269889705000360
OpenAlexW2077116413
LanguageEN
Citations received2

Argument How well does Aristotle's abstract definition of nature in the Physics cope with some significant agricultural facts? Are its implications in tension with the workings of artificial teleology? How Aristotle might categorize domesticated plants is problematic: they are neither obviously natural nor obviously artificial. That artificial things generally retain an intrinsic source of change does not help us to settle the status of "living quasi-artefacts." A survey of Theophrastus reveals that many agricultural techniques go against nature, rather than collaborating with it; and, moving from the practical to the theoretical, the Mechanica might suggest a scientific program at odds with the Aristotelian tradition of passive observation. Reflection on the Historia Animalium exposes difficulties in specifying natural and artificial environments which exacerbate the puzzle, and reinforce the rationale for Aristotelians to adopt an active stance when investigating nature. The Aristotelian olive remains mysterious

Archaeology · Biology · Categorization · Domestication · Epistemology · Natural (archaeology) · Odds · Philosophy of biology · Philosophy of science · Teleology · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Computer Science · Ecology · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub