The conference aims to
discuss Aristotle’s concept of matter in its different contexts and will shed
new light on aspects not yet fully investigated. Specifically, we are
interested in discussing the relation between (1) matter and the elements, (2)
matter and change, (3) matter and definition, (4) matter and potentiality and
(5) matter and ungenerated objects. Matter is together with form one of
Aristotle’s key concepts in his metaphysics. Any thing is composed of matter
and form, and while matter persists through change, form is required as the determining
element of the two. Aristotle further associates matter with potentiality and
form with actuality, another fundamental dichotomy in Aristotle’s philosophical
thinking. Both concepts, matter and form, are required for a proper understanding of
Aristotle’s metaphysics and yet matter has not been in the spotlight of
discussions in the same way as form has. Aristotle is often credited with having
introduced the concept of matter (gr. hylê) into philosophy, while remaining
partly remarkably unclear what the concept actually contains. Aristotle’s
definitions and specifications may even seem obscure and possibly inconsistent.
Interpretations range from the view that Aristotelian matter is an abstract
metaphysical principle to the position that it is the specific sensible stuff which
constitutes individual substances, for example bronze or flesh and bone, from
the view that it is a strictly relative term which designates whatever is
subject to a certain change, to the view that it refers to an entity or a class
of entities in the world, i.e. sensible stuff or the purely potential prime
matter. We hope to re-ignite a new wave of discussions on this fundamental
concept of matter. Please see below for programme and abstracts.
Speakers:
Andreas Anagnostopoulos (LMU Munich) David Charles (Yale) David Ebrey (Northwestern)
Ana Laura Edelhoff (Humboldt Berlin) Mary Louise Gill (Brown)
Wolfgang Sattler (St Andrews) Anna Schriefl (Bonn)
Call for papers (closed now) We warmly invite submissions of abstracts by graduate students and early career scholars for our conference on Aristotle's concept of matter to be held on 27-28 June, Wadham College, Oxford. Abstracts (500 words) can address any aspect of Aristotle's concept of matter but we encourage submissions that discuss matter in contexts that do not (exclusively) emphasise its relation to form. Please prepare your abstract for blind review (no identifying information on abstract) and submit it by Monday 6 June via https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=arismatter2016. Successful candidates will be contacted by the end of the same week. For any questions please contact Dr Janine Gühler (janine.guhler@wadh.ox.ac.uk) but please DO NOT send abstracts to this address. Programme: Knowles room, Wadham College, Parks Road, Oxford, map Monday (27/06) 9.30 Registration 9.50 Welcome and Introduction 10.00-11.20 Mary-Louise Gill: Aristotle’s Hylomorphism in Metaphysics Theta, abstract 11.25-12.45 Andreas Anagnostopoulos: Aristotle's introduction of the underlying principle in Physics I, abstract Lunch 2.00-3.15 Anna Schriefl: Matter and persistence, abstract 4.35-5.35 Ana Laura Edelhoff: Topical Matter in Metaphysics Theta 8, 1050b6-28, abstract 7.00 Conference dinner Tuesday (28/06) 10.00-11.20 David Charles: The role of matter in form 11.25-12.45 David Ebrey: Different kinds of matter in Aristotle’s Natural Science, abstract Organised by Dr Anna Schriefl and Dr Janine Gühler. For any enquiries please contact Janine Gühler (janine.guhler@wadh.ox.ac.uk).
Supported by British Society for the History of Philosophy, Aristotelian Society and Lisa & Maury Friedman Foundation. |
Conference on Aristotle's concept of matter, 27-28 June 2016, Wadham College, Oxford
Subpages (6):
Ana Laura Edelhoff: Topical Matter in Metaphysics Theta 8, 1050b6-28
Andreas Anagnostopoulos: Aristotle's introduction of the underlying principle in Physics I
Anna Schriefl: Matter and persistence
David Ebrey: Different kinds of matter in Aristotle’s Natural Science
Mary-Louise Gill: Aristotle’s Hylomorphism in Metaphysics Theta
Wolfgang Sattler: Matter and Separation