Ancient Philosophy

In "On the Heavens " III and IV , and especially , in "On Generation and

Corruption " II , 1-8 , Aristotle discusses the 'four elements , the 'simple ' bodies , and their transformations . Characterize , in detail

the differences between his account of the elementary transformations

from the account found in Plato 's "Timaeus . What reasons does

Aristotle offer for preferring his explanation of the elementary

transformations to the more 'mathematical ' account offered by Plato

What basis , if any , is there for preferring the one approach over the

other

Plato and Aristotle on Elements , Simple Bodies , and Transformation p

Plato and Aristotle are known to be two philosophers at opposite with almost everything . It is very evident in their epistemological foundations . For Plato , gaining knowledge is remembering but for Aristotle acquiring true knowledge is done through the process of abstraction . Now , Plato believes that there is an ideal world wherein the things that we encounter in our world are just copies of the things in that ideal world . Now Aristotle believes the opposite . He staunchly asserts that the ideal world that Plato refers to does not exists

The take off point then to compare the precepts of Plato and Aristotle regarding the four elements and the simple bodies that constitutes the earth together with their transformation is the general tenets of their philosophy

Being the first of the two in chronological , it is more convenient to first discuss the position of Plato regarding these matters . Plato has focused on the four elements or matters of the world namely the fire , air , water , and earth . He used mathematical analysis to explain the creation of elements and their inter-transformation

In the Timaeus of Plato , he discussed that fire , air , water and earth are the four elements in which everything in the world has originated Plato asserted that these elements are composed of particles . There is a corresponding particle for every element . The element then is composed of plain right triangles

As stated in 53c-d of Timaeus , every physical body is composed of plain right triangles and that every physical body is probably composed of scalene right triangles and isosceles triangles

In the 54a1 of Timaeus , Plato emphasized that the only type of an isosceles right triangle are the one with the 45-45-90 degrees respectively as well as there is only one scalene triangle with 30-60-90 degrees respectively . He asserted that the most ideal and appropriate types of triangle are the only types of triangles of which the particles of the four elements are composed . For convenient purposes , we will call the 30 degrees-60 degress-90 degrees triangle y and the 45 degrees-45 degrees-90 degrees triangle z

From the triangles , the sides of the particles are formed . Every side can be an equilateral triangle which is composed of y triangles or a square which are composed of z triangles

The triangles that form the side of the particles are assembled to be the solid particles , forming the elements . Stated in the 54d-55c and 55d-56b of the Timaeus , every element is composed...