On the Parts of Animals is at the heart and soul of Aristotle's scientific investigation of animals. It not only contains the results of his investigation of why different kinds of animals have the parts that they do; it also opens with a book devoted to laying the philosophical stones of the entire biological enterprise. Those philosophical foundations, in turn, reflect and build on Aristotle's theory of knowledge, as found in the Analytics, and his metaphysics and natural philosophy, as found in the Metaphysics, Physics, and De Anima. Whether one is interested in Aristotle the philosopher, or Aristotle the biologist, the De Partibus Animalium has a great deal to offer. The translation of the entire four books, with commentary, gives the reader an opportunity to judge the integrity of Aristotle's zoological practice in books II-IV, in light of the philosophical recommendations for such a study presented in book I. The translation aims to reflect the fine details of Aristotle's reasoning. The commentary gives line-by-line clarification of individual passages while at the same time providing an overall interpretation of Aristotle's purposes and methods.

About the Author
James Lennox is Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Reviews
a fine philosophical analysis of the dialogue * Gabor Betegh, Classical World *
It is extremely satisfactory to have a commentary on the work as a whole. * Greece & Rome *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198751106
Author Aristotle
Format Paperback
Page Count 420
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 494g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 139mm * 23mm