Alexander of Aphrodisias on Fate (tr. R. W. Sharples)

161 Pages·1983·17.08 MB·Greek

by  Alexander of Aphrodisias

sicgee i:
APHRODISIAS
ON FATE

R.W. Sharples

Duckworth
Classical, Medieval and Renaissance editions
ALEXANDER OF
APHRODISIAS
ON FATE

‘ens sazalation and comment

R.W. Sharples

4

Duckworth
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“se easater once Lanai

965 LY, Shope

Ali.gley marin. Nepali pul aiecsy te eerie,

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‘rot wie nto he=sor permanente pune

188007158 15890 net
IBENUTIS6. 387 pape)

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Alecindor of Api
‘Neral Spode
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Isevasisstsee8

Poti Nem Wale he
DrcrkTope Attn tld nye
Potten Goon Beat

Revo Bue ad Tras

Contents

Prelace
Note on abbreviations

Tatroduesion
1. Theproblem belire Alexander
2. Alexander anil -he De Fo
3. The Text,

Analysisal The argucent

TRANSLATION
DeFawo
De Ania tte mastsca, XXMLKXV
Questioee T14, TLS, 1.13, and passazes from

Aleaander's commentary on Aristotle s Tics

COMMENTARY

GREK TEXT
Sigla

Notes vathe Text

Select Bibliography
Index of passages cited
General index
Preface

(My principal caret i this bk oa bec wo make Alerter’
taeatve On Frond Reyer mace wewsible Uc bthero ta those
intrested the sony of De postal anus vit which Wi
femercrer T hase sueuiliagle provided an English translation,
‘scmypniel lies cumsuentary, otis Gestise and ofa i:
Savi dveussims athe ho ALswues fet Below, 3-13 Te
tok thr stats of Alan's argent acral ta Uaeve who
Te le eso ieee, edo aed the eration of mseadiog
snus, the teation i loge tothe Gre, eve wn tei bas
Ineaataogeicng 1 renee wotural English “capeesion. The
‘Corametcary, which should be read ogee wlth the Engosuesion
find Stal is dewted not su saue Io elucidation of Alexander's
Grzatmens wich swith sera exception, elie lear nee
indivation of the rosin iaace und peoblems that it rates, were
Appropriate retssing the who are particulary inceceeted tn mee
feted sedis of yslie pote by eysell or by others. Ne atten
hos berm de Gu ue a ul commmentary on che excl Lene
ther sham the dh fal, ate would vn ve coseh dupeatiae bu
Sisson of pina ead in there pagengre may re cae ee
tsommintary onthe with hea athe Inde Paeoges Cid
Fur the veinenience efthnge render who da wot havewaty acoes510
‘he Grove ents of the wor hers framed, waited by 1 Brune in
Sibson Arbon 21-2 (Burin, 1887 and 892), a
poogcopive reprins of thece eats bus bee provided located ater
the Counmentary). Aster in the rain Indiote pisces where
prclete diferent ceding, anc have based any ranaation ont; cele
OF these varotions nay Be Sowa in the ‘Nates on she Tent
Asics 2 Teta wih Cll ta Gree tot (C4 ale blo
‘stredhiero, amtion 3,1: 148 not been posible to ater Brust
Wrran ny teat selects & dierent feacing ed For heme
ay Brjoee

lextandrsnearna hve nt bone plac acing each the

‘pe laseduction uot Cmamentany don sac tee roe 7y
1977 Cambridge PRI, tei Seer ape De Pat of Acme
Assist, Tam yeatlal for alice and emucuragenent lo 25
finenieors for toe thers, the late Prosar WAC Cutie,
Prolazen JAC eine and lle GR Liowd, 402 examined,
esto A.A, Ling ud BIH, Sach ml vo many eer,
partslar Mie Myice Brust, Me Jean Chrisenven, lie Walt
oak, Pures Fezence Iwi, Preset Andhiny Pree ean
Jocaen Ruan Dr Macalea Sebold, Dr David Srey, Proessor
Tisnard Sool, Poftear Rabe B, Tad, Pessons Misha! J.
‘Wie and Ne Felt» Zimmernane, Various pat sneer
‘papeza whict IIa eel at meetings ia Out, Came
Tendon. and Tp grateful toa whe sontebuted Uo discasion wf
‘hem I ar aso gral for help in checking MSS readings Ls Dts
damm Ublow-Jacnnen see! Divid Mabie, ane toe stall of “he
“nlowing ibrar: Bilioires Natoral, Maia; Breriache Saale
biviotkek, Munich; Ribtivers“Neaionale Marcinaa, Venice;
Oserrektsche ‘Natonsishibiuehek, Wenn; Llerees Aoqust
Biblcthek, Woktenbluc Tate. Snan gonitly beiped by eo
wifi MS ¥ be bear of ae tune! Clea Send
ly: Chivers of London, one af them persed fom te Joyce
Souths: Merial Fund and am grateful see Tdbreeian, Miss
Ana Iealey, fe sen in various respeces, rotesson AA. Lang fae
Lealyeead tng the tranlation Of te cs, ad vomibvced
Dulretous agents. The reaneltor of Attica XN 2 eison
feat wc apse Base neat Cis td 22
‘0979: JL aus qvatful the Feo or permission tose Flr,
ado incorporate cull satel rom the accel whieh it fain
fave. The Deparaneuts uf Geeck snd Tatin at Loivrsity Calege
Tandon. tave protided “nowt ioulsing and. encouraging
‘vironment in wich te work, alte rary bellee:n Lancon ace
clarureerondroene,

Tare gratetl to Gerald Duckwurare Co, al epesialy to
‘MeCitin Fayera for undevtckiag Daepuliiction ofthis herk ona,
fudve whahasheen esr welbiaosty lau ivinaancediserves

"The writing ofthis book wax completed Ll ha yeas of
chard Suralp' rei, Coat wd Da, of ibe Tors
(Condon 1930), whi contsing ih that i eka ae themes
Ite dscassd, sn lea does Sarah Watetlow’sZacaer end Feailiy,

Preface ie
ty of Ait Mec! Cres, Oxford, 1962

‘My thanks aalucalduee rey ile Gece, ate Nmare ha he
seul the wile Louk ia lgpesript ane hag pros mfalig
Frevnhapesnts and adsice cheoughout sie preparwsian. TBE
esa fe he slews here neers, sl Fy scan
(evuts,solcourseeatirely rye,

have eaxpleced she root reshog al indeacg of the bok 2
siege wien tare how tered eo be Eude pubis aymaserry me, ur
understating an ut the nee marty vacalonal epee of
figher sducatias in this cnintry. Poiiiaes who are tenpee
prisay a *nccensgy 7 he viceetaes” polices whch fal
Flu eae otcanier wml da vel Lo poder we at Ales
Tuto aay on pHi hele consessly, sola ey cunt a
the fat tha we are ne, ets wo atank for mason ult a
igaoraue and Folica in Caescalla'sip 12%)

Unvensry Cnlinge unde

Drains 1982 Rw,
Note on Abbreviations

eloenoss 1 Alans wrtinga ore heouglwut given by yg ane
ne armbar of the Zolowiny editions. Ds anseo and enim hn
‘wens ns EB, Sopienetim Aten 2 | (Beri, 18871
Gesmtoes (4), Protlune i Fils” (=), ae =f end
iain Hd, 22 C802), ie Pcie (= de fr} lend
Wib.cgraphe 2.247). tr Pit of be Uren xd pro)
Badawi ft Bibograpty p28) rue” ite vrbetsappeneim rE
Jean magn of he teat ave page mimes the sate an
ot cach page Te page das meri ah hand main
{Ge tata hove of oe sitions Deri sa fn and Spiele
etait wf worat ctl hy dhe utr sme nly wi be Fund te
iogeaphy erin thr rase cl wucks ted inte tetas apparatin
and eis] appendis, ite Sgl): ec te other ancient eaten
ovcorng thir eorex hae Deen wn related, where there
is amy posibiliy of auube, fm the Liblamrapsy. Tae follies
AUbreticoas iveeen use
Dor, Th Dds, er, Davsyabté Grae e8 ies, Berio aol
Tsp, 1925,
1S "Posner nd JB Mga, Pare 1557-1904
SPR HL vor. Amin, nd, disivrns Pea Hage, Leipaig
1903.1508:00L TV inden, 7M. Acle, 1924
Caleidius = Usicles de Paes Tlnasan Cinenenties (e
bliogaphy
IMoonerty = [Phirarch) ae (ota Afri SAL -524P2

Introduction

leaner of Avec’ went: Tee tinge on Fao
‘ego tanta hap em cmmpreoee erage
sig oa Conia entity ose problem of nape
io ceceminn a rte whieh tot spent fun
‘Sesto one shes ont othe vn ay lane
si scares fa ul os aking mare sec
on tot hse ore ie a td ta agin oy
clu ton tsi cat ery deat lee,
wesmve ety ingane veuor fr facta hearers
Sain htm na nsone eS postin om on
“eurceton sacha: nano a ai agit rh
nines he iene ete Arcelor
‘Dpretes ie gucnion atte tow hg a th
EN, Ninwnct te ever Se wan igs re
Tuned sa Acnraees eer ej seca eure er
thease, hom eh a ed i ctu The
fect nok oad nok W neon ces pages ee
‘Roe yh pve tien for Serpe atin
butiattcesmewotAlecnenccapenen's i

1. The probes before Alessader*

“The pmblem of deteaveia and neeponsbiity was ner rented in
the form fs wich ae coencally pReee# om pone aca
thinkers, uit) edatiny late fy the history of Gren tage
4 Inout:
Alou “here ane yoeoages iwi fs recogadned that there is
‘omething pyoblealis ic holding saunas raponoibe for an action
lst goe hes oretold i will perform. fie yal miseeng
Use inteprersion of th teratur of the fll cunsry Banden
1 sess thot the ically i svg ne aby wo rnporat
‘seta zo un The mechanistic aloe of Dts (ror $60
457 BE my wel) seem 2 te Ww ree icles or Tue
Feszousibity, na it seemed © do so ta Eyer but Desa
hinzll apyncenrs fel no auch yealern* The questo, of the
relation Seta doting aed uma chic i ized, i tovbica
loom, a tec ef the pave! Plo (420-347 Bina posonge
thot were 1 be inportan ne Iter dncusien" tf ony ateaine ts
Full signesnce ia the correct a9 theory elaiaing that al events a
She pEysial won ace yuveened 972 rigid eet, oth
sol parent ia Plc, [ovum what serney of abalone wali
‘eats eececens ie 10 be feud mein the Idea vats in bo
Soni phenome.”

‘The vise notion of deteraiasn ~ of aye whieh ecey
sta. flies ia veceasary conseeuence a any al every paeceding,
tate of alurs i algostenciely absent Jems the approrc 6 the
physical wueld of Ariaacle (84-322 B12) alse; nove imparcane for
1a he cana berwren on 1oe one id te aes necesioy
ra ineaiance whieh apps ie tate motions ofthc Iaarraly hi,
‘9 moathematcal teuths, sl tn resin atesbues af sings fn the
‘vhineary word ~ he rurtaty ofall men, for eaaingle and on
"Phe mehe band, the errglarry ond writin of my pects of he

“ust t enca tee WR Vera
‘iar tnd oc Orta USE eel Tay SS

Tend Ramet St Sh ne chon
elect na : et A PS
Ba ee ge een hey uric ey deg
ein 2 WR Gatti ey at Rog mse
Eon)

hip Ate 3
sublonary weld ee the mot he cam bef ea si
Chat hey heifer tere part bat roel obere hte
fee simny tcldenal counetons (7 fll side Cae spe of
Soe howlecge ~ concer wth lo iy OF ually he
ioe = atagetaent Avi le pcre a le consguenens af 1
rc ot one of ch wo wa lst nerves 9 ex
‘Sending tay tate, reteanr Bale sraingy? oe
eubling the rpien cnc ly ne owen of 2 rre i
jones whica spre wad sane Wh the pole conse Lp
ine Rape, bn encnaaly Qe away and cae "emai. And
Convey, Anuaie can ate that ther are es beings
(aera), cot ucind to bua ager, wthour spony that
there fv dita canal nerve ocean neoupted Py
{irs sete; he oply cree nor ace the question in there
Mees! He doc) discuss the tion wbolact a ene sre
vce ly essonry nie ef cavaton 7 Meaphi
Toz70™ bie, cad ate devs is puny nating “hot rot
crerthng tence bus here cece twa ea a ie
Siniaguises berwen he ca that tore a oes wh te
tet peedarmand ned fl) te leer aim the ace ne ome
‘Engst dat lar happe in she soe way = ze doe nt
Cael she ny psdetrmined by life Getore on eh
section! He era bode tho thre ane eta we rm
from chon nit neers ar i ta en been pte
tut sr enna of chane Fert Instr of elnidenee met
Groner” Hei Sat inerered ot
‘Rigccne uuu, har of oat, ay wel Bo hae chan
farms hove 0, senbe explanation shout Phe hereby

DCE pl ae 41975, ne 1 (S938, 8)

stepmadysan

TF ute ag 62S
6 ration

Ingolving iadstesininn!® T woul ied: rast to laa at
there ave at passages ese Ass tnd a sre ao rom
Aeterminism as lat plugs would undestand bow thi it
not, in dealing wit the veiverae ea wlide ein cur, Av
Arvne’s emphasis on sther quealoas, partclary that of the
fciener on absence of 9 variation which may wel: be entuey
pecdkttmiced, woe highly nfoersial on Inter thinuer, Aleandes
urgy thorn, ko “tase raoremned wide thr problem oF
Aeteomdites

Atiretle did owewcr divcist the fous uf dhe anal of
replete ethan vray whic alla it Joes orm
port of 9 treatment of devcrsndun in the weld 98 w stl wa
‘eveccheless (be inflata? we is Lopie was late discussed Te
Miaeos Eee WE be deine valuta shure) acting wnat
‘where theres no exeaal eoupuision, co that che seurce chi af
Zhe tion isn toe agents ad where the agent not Fguarant of -he
parca dail of weat ae 30 deingst Ip sts chapeee he is
Soncerned ich rhn pracscal, qoartlegsl problem of che
ienyucailiey of sient to their agents, other Pe ch 3
phocephieal analyse o ewer eho, ® be dhe ration oh
Dreseace or shnenes acer compulsion wae tb orth i
tale disci

In Monod Eikis TLS Asis ageets thet cenunctle
actions = thove which "depesad on an? {6 dow) — idle ise
ossblliy af checsing otherwise {LU13b7). He thea sects the
jection that & man’s charset way Ue ach hatte cut chease
focher than actions of 2 particular sort bY arguing tha, since
ispesitions develop ag a este ations even mae cannot ae
choeee wot c aot 35 2 certain wax, is his respeasibty thee he
fame tbe Uke “bien the bet place (12142331) ‘This argument,
hmvrver, only pres the prob back ints the past, ll one comes

GF hanes 1173 4:2642.
iSO Si an 1,8 an 29 030 22
> Hae Lae, “The lap bacon ee pers tent Baa,
nse eden an p16 2 ath corto min

‘Deeb apne Ate 7
to inhuecens ane stlhovd = eatural endowment, rng ead
bests which we san hardly be cegnre x rape

‘rials it indeed arguing agate the lackaeound of a
ices yt ad it would be a rvke 1 press la argument
too ene a0 a8 0 etrace ceterenitc ination tt Th
Sccae thar be ov operating wth really sustedla assomprines,
‘Faring tort the position thal exports lavoro ‘Feedom 10
Choose between diferent sre a attioe, and dealing with
Slits ericrg "tw sha etracnaion of acto hy chavactor
nly as 4 subvolingis swe? AL ie sr4e that the possi of
Choosing wher? wai bo sateypreed in» ried wonae wie
‘rout ake} neste toa determine ® but there be explicit
inlatinn oa in Aritale's cert, ra Te werss ale that ve
dnvmgin sp seiontie deterriviem and respamslty only avo
baie ns a season to tee caplet motion of (he necessny
stansiag Uclwcea.determininm sind indewrstion.2” Flown,
Aisi’ ceatinen iso entirely sriulory apd tshmiatons
‘ud diiulies do‘seoome apparent when late cans, and inure
LU Alenander, ase ie 9 a Unni Goon WAGh to segue again
‘deseeinian

Ts with Eprgans andthe Slee that larly indoaermc and
deterministe postions ar xsl strated. Epicure (4-270 8.)

iene by the mat ae ii wien 33129422 2 Alecancer
Se ohgce epee sg cede

NaHS Rey ee
Din Wade ie Bed BIH RSJ ani, sand aes Be Be
i ae st, See oe ay
® Irradiation

claimed that lunsin freedom could ony be aainaiaed i she
doist sytem by Ube cepreseermised averve of certain stoma
from the gathe which they wld otkerrs elon. he probleme
files in, hie seine io mer responsible human choi to
tere rardogaess, Ease lien been arated uty inne,
clays yonbleme ecem iGholved at sey stent ta
‘esuunsiity acer of the poem of eons rhe, ls
16 Le cose! wit 3 ational explanation of why men do, oF
boul, coos ie pteula way.

“Tue Biuie postion, given dative eapresian by Cluysivins (
2WL20F 063, the thin head of the etteck represents no. ic
‘oppcete exttear “ten that of Epiciror bit am. atterapt co
rmpremie, (9 combine uetwnnizm and reponsihsiy, Their
theory oF rhe oniveree i sndoed « womyiiely determin. one,
erarthing i governed by fate, idee’ wilh the saucner of
{see thing could Rapper. otherwise than it due, ard i any
fon sat uf sreurarances one sid only one reauh ca Tolhon —
feewise an unssuned montion oud oocur Kate i ala dented
With providence ant with god anc ts with pw 0 i ae
divine active preeiie ~ or chops betes oe inerament o rebel
of the divine will = whith penetstes the mote universe, banging
[owt and gostei all proaneswchin iad gurag rach ching te
character

Chrysiopus was however wince) wo yoesree human
sponsibility in che conte of his dalenndnist syst His penton

pean erg meme ne

in ene of ee lig gran by Alene
(isn 2 pg Ne orb seo Ae opts
Sige 3 9 Sano (DO |Se Haompnae NE
ee 2 CX Sane 3 Ta,
onetime 6 ft

The rae fire Aloe 3

‘was thus ane of ‘sake determiaiem’. aa apposed op the ore hand co
Wat of she hare determine’ ho cle hee deterriniam excludes
responsibilty, and on the ober to that of the bertrian who xgrer:
fon the Sncompatibiisy but preserves rxpomuiility Ine mong
Seseminien Phe Grek Aaa, eat vend ax ur, Uke
the Krish responsi ity ss hath By Hberterians cea by
lene, thoagh ey diese ae whe coeds
The eccareace af the exgresion i act « se guide co he wpe of
position invaved. The situation ia complicated bythe fac: that che
Aebare Is in Greek pliieoophy conducted ender terms of
esponsbi'y (pt Bean} rather than of Heesom or pee wll”
pevercheles It can be shows tha some thiakees, Alene smog,
them, havea bertoian rather than a oh-determinia wonton of
reeponsibiiey, and in sch caste T hive rot herbed ts use
fegreaor ike redo” Tae expres eww Srexaloyel
{Beers ofthe rable in sein atin ern?

CChryypax argon at oem are reper fax Use ations
hich, rem tikigh they ane perdrerinised, depend ehialty ob
Shovels etl ha sn tured aca (Epieuru, By contrast
Insist foes wear suis be Use ot onl? troop exteral
seveasily bat also Thos. oeceatatiog by factors inter cot
agent)" This i the Levce of Cheysippu' famons analogy of car
‘linder;just as te face tat a epider and cone ral, an din
ldferen: ways, shen pushed on aslope depend primarily ott te
person whe pushes these, who it only om alin, wr ising
fuse, but on heir shape in earh cam, the een ee Ce
Sra in which dierens men reac ro the sate slimes depend

‘ekg meh Wn ei
iettune ba atc see hoc 2 Epcenat 2
OHM HME ted vs Shore UR 3 Bese te hr wae
vile ts aera nt ee
© Irwin

primasily om thir wm skracera!” The rain the question ol
Fesporsitilty kr chansciey ther a8 in Aeotls Peace
If; rhe Sk ceraidy scusted men Sra natu: dane
nd iv develops ib aoe etal bye their ger dete
pisonna. early yeluded cack geiny wey account of mr
Frosty (er our etarater that voll ais yaliberterian

‘Chiyeipaus alo deleted tanam repuesibity by hil trine i
‘vorlaled events, adranced te rauntee the "Lazy Argumert” (ager
sage) = i fei ted tha yl eve, you Sl rveoms whether
{ou cal ina doctor or mot it Zaued hal you wil re rreowe O.
Trl not resurerwshether you call aa doctor of pny de othe
the ic ated so ites way) te fo pene rly ins oct.
Against this Cheysipus atgued that, teen of all averts are
Drrdecermined, Cat doce U6: mean thr? ne ation bse re pact
lay sn that subeequent evens do ret depred att fer easin
Coumeuensts cant fellow sithot erin ations én aut pact
Fete hal Leia Aave aso it le lad tha: be wil
wile oatan Determiosem ienen an eaeuse for Etta’ hash
This des aot prevent 8 renter fee rapeazedly treating Fa
welt

‘Certain eanient actor 3 torwarlargaments for orale, blame
ppunisnmens oe rane i deerroist system Wi -wo spa 19
Fespanaifey ~argimmens which ey harcore be casi a har
(lterginie Phe erode slild be puriaed for Tbe praeection
Of ovhere werk othe i respanaible tor his wings just as
Svions penn aint ate destroyed” A Stole source fo thee

of 425 2 oe S291 tay
Sane saree Resa U1 Beeps sees.
folio AOU teLang 0s) Is eh 3488S 9,3
Doan sis iete Her C286) ye lee te Ole ed
Sich aa a am pt ac age de

sie? Em, 9 WS and

nea oe ies le ee Pie Som

The gba buf Alena Tn

ngernmuts cannot be ruled out, or che Sori may well Have
Yeinhcced. sofedeeennin arguments justiving praier, blame,
Punt nencand renard by ers aot elrrng eo rej,
Tadeition to physi, aural deeenminironesnay slbo speak
logical” determiniem, In chapte> 9 of toe De Tantei the
lantoos‘Sew-lintle passage, Aro pos Ube reblec chat,
radiation is ether ur or tle, teem ha ai prediced mst
inche one cave nerenvrily wear sil inthe wtbee wacessaely ret
berur. Arbre’ pwn ulus Use wublem 2 obscure. Berk
Foveunoe an the Sos ssp camection beeen te cor
faliny of the proliinn swnl Ue eveetual oneome's being
ths mins, Epiasue secing deteminiem ane enmcensendy
Saying lt all Tusureense proponcione ae tee or Fae the
Stace usquia dat al propositions aze ue oral ed wang his 8
40 utr 19 support determinism ® Coenentes (214/2-129/8
lech he Goueder el the sepccal Nevw Aradrmy, argued against
both schools tat the accerepryconmecion toe he eth of he
Breeton and the nocurener ofthe eval x szply a indoeton cf
‘what smear by Seeribing « popusilien a: ue, and dees noc hae
{ny deerme mplications® The paedornnantinerprearon cl
[trie om osm in lata sigey wae that a peedeiom of
Taine casingee even docx have a value= te me ale =
bout mien defini tne hie postu let appeara im the ast

ree eee ea
“EG Acaneh Serer emma ee
and cna cu ff oc: C97} Tam
ccieegeries bla

ec ARTES Wet Saat Py i mune