Aristotle — Metaphysics: opposites
Aristotle discusses non-contradiction and a position he associates with Heraclitus. His argument concerns the conditions of intelligible discourse and shows how tradition turned fragments into philosophical opponents.
Understanding the text
The Metaphysics is Aristotle’s work, transmitted and organized after composition. Its polemical presentation of Heraclitus does not replace independently preserved quotations.
Aristotle’s discussion of a reading of Heraclitus in book Gamma.
Key points
- 01
Contradiction
Aristotle asks whether the same property can belong and not belong to the same thing in the same respect.
- 02
Polemic
Attributing a thesis to a predecessor serves an argument with Aristotle’s own objectives.
- 03
Critical reading
The reconstruction must be compared with fragments on opposites and their ancient witnesses.
How to read it
Identify the precise conditions of the principle and distinguish Aristotle’s argument from its reconstructed target.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗