Dynamis. Metafizyczne pojęcie możności i jego rola w filozofii praktycznej Arystotelesa

Abstract

The author considers Aristotle’s conception of potency ( dynamis ), a fundamental notion in his metaphysics. One of its important functions is to connect his metaphysics and his practical philosophy. Showing this connection involves an analysis of the most important parts of the Metaphysics (Books Delta and Theta) and its application to an essential element of Aristotle’s practical philosophy, the notion of virtue (arete). However, Aristotle’s practical works (the three Ethics and the Rhetoric) contain apparently contradictory definitions of arete: in the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle defines arete in terms of the notion of disposition (hexis), while in the Rhetoric he makes use of the notion of potency. An examination of this apparent contradiction clarifies the true significance of potency in Aristotle’s philosophy