Aristotle’s Biology and Early Medicine

doi:10.1017/9781108181792.004

Chapter 3 - Aristotle’s Biology and Early Medicine

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 May 2021

Hynek Bartoš

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Sophia M. Connell

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Sophia M. Connell: Affiliation:
Birkbeck College, University of London

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Summary

In this chapter I introduce the thesis that Aristotle’s biology was considerably influenced by medical tradition as represented by the so-called Hippocratic writings. I start with a brief discussion of the history of the debate and the state of investigation and introduce the main advocates as well as opponents of the thesis. I then focus on Aristotle’s remarks on distinguished physicians and the relationship between medicine and natural philosophy in Parva Naturalia. With the help of selected passages from the Hippocratic On Regimen, On Flesh and On Ancient Medicine I make the case that Aristotle reflects upon a specific medical debate on the first principles of human (and animal) physiology and clarifies his own position in it, namely that he takes sides with those physicians who practice their discipline “in a more philosophical manner” and who employ heat, cold, and other such qualities as the starting points of their physiological explanations.

Keywords

health heat balance mixture medicine physicians Hippocratic Hippocrates

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle's Biology , pp. 46 - 63

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108181792.004 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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References

Guide to Further Reading

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