From Polemic to Exegesis: The Ancient Philosophical Commentary

Baltussen, Han

doi:10.1215/03335372-2006-022

Cited by 36 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 66 publications

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“…Less comprehensive and non‐linear commentaries had already been written on Plato’s works by his pupil Crantor (Proclus, in Tim . 1.76.1–2), and an exegetical tradition of interpreting religious statements pre‐existed them (Betegh 2004: 46; Baltussen 2004 and 2007). Learned Jews also had a long tradition of writing commentaries on the Pentateuch , and during the Hellenistic period some, most notably Philo of Alexandria (first century BCE to first century CE), composed his commentaries under the influence of pagan Greek philosophy (see Runia 1986 and 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Philosophy of the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle

Tuominen

2012

Philosophy Compass

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From the first century BCE onwards, philosophers started to write commentaries on those Aristotle’s treatises that were meant for the internal use of his school. Plato’s works had been commented on already earlier, the first reported commentary originates in the 300s BCE. Commentaries are treatises that follow an object text in a more or less linear fashion. The format was not unknown before the first century BCE but new in extensive philosophical use. This review essay focuses on authors who commented on Aristotle’s works. The commentaries emerged when Platonists and Aristotelians observed the need to teach the philosophy of these ancient masters to their students and to systematise their philosophy to respond to rival schools. In the late ancient schools, Plato and Aristotle were considered great thinkers, whose views needed to be studied carefully when considering any matter at hand. Many also argued that, despite the initial appearance to the contrary, there is no deep disagreement between Plato and Aristotle but, rather, a division of labour; Aristotle is dominant in natural philosophy and Plato in theology. However, this harmony thesis was not universally accepted. Despite their respect for Plato and Aristotle, the commentators were not mere followers of these authors. They developed, criticised and transformed the doctrines in significant ways, not only by suggesting different answers to the same questions but also by transforming the questions themselves.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%