The Chain of Change

The Chain of Change is a philosophical commentary devoted to Aristotle’s Physics VII, in which Aristotle argues for the existence of a first, unmoved cosmic mover. This study systematically considers the major issues of the book, and argues for the fundamental importance of Physics VII in our understanding of Aristotelian cosmology and natural science. Physics VII is extant in two versions, and therefore poses special editorial problems. For this reason one of the features of Dr Wardy’s study is the provision of an improved text and translation in both versions. The author’s comprehensive comparison of their merits, philosophical and philological, has a significant bearing on our understanding of the nature and evolution of the Aristotelian corpus. The second part of the book is devoted to critical examination of the argument, including one of the most elaborate and challenging in the entire Aristotelian corpus.

Preface; Part I: Physics VII; Sigla; Authorities cited; The texts: versions α and β; Translations; Part II: Analytical table of contents; 1. Introduction; 2. Moved movers; 3. The varieties of contact; 4. Alteration and reduction; 5. Recapitulation: the two versions; 6. Anti-reductionism: Aristotle and his predecessors on mixture; 7. Unlikely comparisons; 8. Playing with numbers; Bibliography; Index of passages cited; General index.