ZACHARIAS SCOURAS:
ARISTOTLE’S VIEWS ON LIFE AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO OUR TODAY’S WORLD
T.C.H. – INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTRE FOR ARISTOTLE STUDIES, A.U.Th. – ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF A.U.Th
ARISTOTLE TODAY
First Series of Lectures on the Macedonian Philosopher
Aristotle the Macedonian philosopher, student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great, who was born in Stageira of Chalkidiki in 384 BC., has exercised a continuous influence on human thought fora period of 2.400 years. His work he has left indelible marks on the Hellenistic world, Byzantium, Arabic Philosophy, Medieval thought of Europe, Modern Western world, and his influence on the intellectual life of contemporary Western civilization continues to be present.
His treatises cover an amazing range of topics, spreading over all major branches of philosophy and extending in an impressive way into the basic areas of scientific disciplines.
We believe that this work deserves to be studied not only for its long-standing influence, but also for its relevance for the 21stcentury and for its potential to lead us to a deeper understanding of concepts, ideas and problems of our own era on a global scale.
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Aristotle Studies (DI.K.A.M.) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, wishing to make Aristotle’s work known to the public, are organizing a series of lectures by renowned Aritotle scholars from Greece and abroad. This event is organized in the context of the Agreement of Collaboration signed by the Aristotle University and the Thessaloniki Concert Hall. Its aim is to promote activities of cultural and educational and scientific character for the benefit not only of the Academic community but also of our society in general.
Coordinator of the Series of Lectures:
Demetra Sfendoni-Mentzou
President of Interdisciplinary Center for Aristotle Studies, A.U.Th.
General Introduction:
Demetra Sfendoni-Mentzou
President of the Interdisciplinary Center for Aristotle’s Studies (DI.K.A.M), A.U.Th. , Professor Emerita of Philosophy of Science.
Zacharias Scouras, Professor of Genetics, Secretary General of the Interdisciplinary Center for Aristotle’s Studies, A.U.Th.
“Aristotle’s Views on Life and their Relevance to our Today’s World.”
Abstract
Among the various issues that greatly engaged Aristotle’s thought is the phenomenon of life, in which little attention has been paid so far. Life was systematically studied in his biological treatises, which occupy over 30% of his surviving corpus. What is mostly evident in them is the fact that life is treated as a complex and diverse phenomenon with concrete manifestations in space and time. This attempt aims to (a) present some of Aristotle’s most outstanding biological views and observations on life and (b) illuminate the relevance of his thought and of his experimental work to contemporary Biology. The presentation is structured into 4 modules: 1) Matter – Form (εἶδος) – The Aristotelian entelecheia (ἐντελέχεια), 2) The meaning of life according to Aristotle – The appearance, birth and self-generation, complexity and perpetuation of life, 3) The Aristotelian Kind – Principle of the classification of beings, 4) Aristotle in Contemporary Biology.