Defining Motion According to Aristotle and his Interpreters: An Analysis

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Theology, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Theology, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran .

Abstract

According to Aristotle, because natural knowledge seeks to know nature as the source and agent of motion, knowing the truth and nature relies upon knowing motion. Aristotle defines motion as “the actuality of what is potential qua potential.” His definition seems to be open to a wide range of interpretations by his commentators. These differences are ultimately rooted in how the words actuality and potentiality are interpreted in Aristotle's definition. Some have interpreted actuality as a process and others as completion.
On the other hand, some interpreters have understood potentiality with regard to being and some with respect to becoming. The combination of these differences led to three different viewpoints when it comes to understanding motion: 1- process/becoming, 2- actuality/being 3- actuality/ becoming. Meanwhile, Ibn Sina's definition of motion is an independent definition, which we have called the "actuality/being and becoming" perspective, but it can also be considered as the fourth interpretation of Aristotle's definition. Through the document research method, this article analyzes the definition of motion according to Aristotle by delving deeply into interpretations offered by Aristotelian commentators. The results of this critical inquiry show that the second interpretation suffers from fewer problems, and even Ibn Sina's definition requires amendments to defy scrutiny and critiques.

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References

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