Philosophy Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2019
Publication Source
Apeiron
Abstract
This paper discusses Aristotle’s theory of reproduction: specifically, the good that he thinks organisms attain by reproducing. The aim of this paper is to refute the widespread theory that Aristotle believes plants and animals reproduce for the sake of attenuated immortality. This interpretive claim plays an important role in supporting one leading interpretation of Aristotle’s teleology: the theory that Aristotelian nature is teleologically oriented with a view solely to what benefits individual organisms, and what benefits the organism is its survival and well–being. This paper challenges the theories that Aristotle takes plants and animals to reproduce for the sake of attenuated immortality, and that he believes survival to be the most basic of goods. It is argued that Aristotle believes reproduction is detrimental to organisms’ health and longevity but nonetheless is central to plant and animal flourishing. It is claimed that, to explain the fundamentality of the reproductive soul function, Aristotle appeals to the eternal and divine.
ISBN/ISSN
2156-7093
Document Version
Published Version
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 by Walter de Gruyter
Publisher
de Gruyter
Volume
52
Issue
3
Peer Reviewed
yes
eCommons Citation
Gabbe, Myrna, "Aristotle on the Good of Reproduction" (2019). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 181.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/phl_fac_pub/181
Comments
The document available for download following the publisher's required embargo period is provided in compliance with the publisher's policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/apeiron-2018-0040