Alexander of Aphrodisias on the first cause, divine power, the city and the household

Abstract

Alexander of Aphrodisias (c. 200 CE) was concerned to show that Peripatetic philosophy provided the most successful theory about the relation between the universe, and the First Cause that is responsible for the unity and order of the universe. In this paper I first describe the state of the discussion between Stoics, Platonists and Peripatetics on this issue. Then I examine how Alexander introduced a divine power, which he identified with the non-rational nature at work in each natural thing. This power resides in the outer sphere of the universe as an effect of its rational desire for the First Cause, and is transmitted all the way down to the nature of the elements in prime matter. Thus the First Cause is a form that is responsible for all forms; and an intellect that is responsible for all intelligibility and intellection in the universe. In this way Alexander made the most of Aristotelian principles, while rejecting the Platonic World Soul and Forms, as well as the Stoic all-pervading material God.