Porphyry: To Gaurus on How Embryos Are Ensouled and on What Is in Our Power

Concerning embryos, Porphyry takes an original view on issues that had been left undecided by his teacher Plotinus and earlier by the doctor Galen. What role is played in the development of the embryo by the souls or the natures of the father, of the mother, of the embryo, or of the whole world? Porphyry's detailed answer, in contrast to Aristotle's, gives a significant role to the soul and to the nature of the mother, without, however, abandoning Aristotle's view that the mother supplies no seed. In the fragments of On What is in Our Power, "Porphyry" discusses Plato's idea that we choose each of our incarnations, and so are responsible for what happens in our lives.

This volume contains an English translation of the two commentaries, as well as extensive notes, an introduction and a bibliography.

Author: Porphyry
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 04/10/2014
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.61lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.41d
ISBN13: 9781472557872
ISBN10: 1472557875
BISAC Categories:
- Philosophy | Criticism
- Philosophy | History & Surveys | Ancient & Classical

About the Author

James Wilberding is Lecturer in Ancient Thought, School of Historical Studies, Newcastle University, UK.