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Class Notes

08FEB07

Metaphysics Book VII

"A Preliminary Sketch of Z (zeta)"

Ontology - comes from the Greek word (on): the account of Being; Aristotle rejects certain questions (chapter 1); The notion of Being is 'floppy'--people & chairs in this room, with colors & shapes... Where does 'is' fit into Aristotle's ontology; A does not use "is", as there isn't a clear criteria for it in Greek.

A speaks on a 'science of being'. ("Knowledge of Being"; Book IV) No axiomatic view of ontology; but he approaches it dialectically, of views that are not his own. (Greek Academy for 20 years, combatting ideas of other members) 'Rough and Ready'

Although we can talk about all sorts of different things, they do not form into a single 'kind' of being; there is no single kind; some new principle/organization is needed (Book IV & VII); Owen: classical philosopher that greatly influenced Dr. Dancy during his dissertation;--'focal meaning' -