The Isagoge (Greek: Εἰσαγωγή, Eisagōgḗ; /ˈaɪsəɡoʊdʒiː/) or "Introduction" to Aristotle's "Categories", written by Porphyry in Greek and translated into Latin by Boethius, was the standard textbook on logic for at least a millennium after his death. It was composed by Porphyry in Sicily during the years 268–270, and sent to Chrysaorium, according to all the ancient commentators Ammonius, Elias, and David. The work includes the highly influential hierarchical classification of genera and species from substance in general down to individuals, known as the Tree of Porphyry, and an introduction which mentions the problem of universals.
Boethius' translation of the work, in Latin, became a standard medieval textbook in European scholastic universities, setting the stage for medieval philosophical-theological developments of logic and the problem of universals. Many writers, such as Boethius himself, Averroes, Abelard, Scotus, wrote commentaries on the book. Other writers such as William of Ockham incorporated them into their textbooks on logic.
Iluminure from the Hunayn ibn-Ishaq al-'Ibadi manuscript of the Isagoge.
Arabic manuscript of the Isagoge
The earliest Latin translation, which is now no longer extant, was made by Marius Victorinus in the fourth century. Boethius heavily relied upon it in his own translation. The earliest known Syriac translation was made in the seventh century by Athanasius of Balad. An early Armenian translation of the work also exists.[1]
The Introduction was translated into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffa‘ from a Syriac version. With the Arabicized name Isāghūjī it long remained the standard introductory logic text in the Muslim world and influenced the study of theology, philosophy, grammar, and jurisprudence. Besides the adaptations and epitomes of this work, many independent works on logic by Muslim philosophers have been entitled Isāghūjī. Porphyry's discussion of accident sparked a long-running debate on the application of accident and essence.[2]
Predicables
The predicables (Lat. praedicabilis, that which may be stated or affirmed, sometimes called quinque voces or five words) is, in scholastic logic, a term applied to a classification of the possible relations in which a predicate may stand to its subject. The list given by the schoolmen and generally adopted by modern logicians is based on the original fourfold classification given by Aristotle (Topics, a iv. 101 b 17–25): definition (horos), genus (genos), property (idion), accident (sumbebekos). The scholastic classification, obtained from Boëthius's version of the Isagoge, modified Aristotle's by substituting differentia (diaphora) and species (eidos) for definition (horos). The method of definition by diairesis, or differentiation, was known and practiced by Aristotle.
Porphyrian Tree
In medieval textbooks, the all-important Arbor porphyriana ("Porphyrian Tree") illustrates his logical classification of substance. To this day, taxonomy benefits from concepts in Porphyry's Tree, in classifying living organisms: see cladistics.
Problem of universals
The work is celebrated for prompting the medieval debate over the status of universals. Porphyry writes
For the moment, I shall naturally decline to say, concerning genera and species, whether they subsist, whether they are bare, pure isolated conceptions, whether, if subsistent, they are corporeal or incorporeal, or whether they are separated from or in sensible objects, and other related matters. This sort of problem is of the very deepest, and requires more extensive investigation.
Though he did not mention the problem further, his formulation constitutes the most influential part of his work, since it was these questions that formed the basis of medieval debates about the status of universals. Do universals exist in the mind, or in reality? If in reality, are they physical things, or not? If physical, do they have a separate existence from physical bodies, or are they part of them?
References
^"Porphyry, Introduction (or Isagoge) to the logical Categories ofAristotle. Preface to the online edition".
^Aristotelis opera omnia. Ad optimorum librorum fidem accurate ..., Volume 8
Bibliography
Barnes, Jonathan (2003). Introduction to Introduction by Porphyry. Clarendon Press (modern translation of the Isagoge)
King, Daniel (2010). The Earliest Syriac Translation of Aristotle's Categories: Text, Translation and Commentary. Brill
"Porphyrii Isagoge translatio". Corpus scriptorum latinorum (in Latin). Retrieved 2008-05-03.
Pearse, R. "Porphyry, Introduction (or Isagoge) to the logical Categories of Aristotle. Preface to the online edition". Manuscripts. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
MS 484/15 Commentum super libro Porphyrii Isagoge; De decim predicamentis at OPenn
January 20, 2023
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The Isagoge Greek Eἰsagwgh Eisagōgḗ ˈ aɪ s e ɡ oʊ dʒ iː or Introduction to Aristotle s Categories written by Porphyry in Greek and translated into Latin by Boethius was the standard textbook on logic for at least a millennium after his death It was composed by Porphyry in Sicily during the years 268 270 and sent to Chrysaorium according to all the ancient commentators Ammonius Elias and David The work includes the highly influential hierarchical classification of genera and species from substance in general down to individuals known as the Tree of Porphyry and an introduction which mentions the problem of universals Boethius translation of the work in Latin became a standard medieval textbook in European scholastic universities setting the stage for medieval philosophical theological developments of logic and the problem of universals Many writers such as Boethius himself Averroes Abelard Scotus wrote commentaries on the book Other writers such as William of Ockham incorporated them into their textbooks on logic Contents 1 Versions 2 Predicables 3 Porphyrian Tree 4 Problem of universals 5 References 6 BibliographyVersions Edit Iluminure from the Hunayn ibn Ishaq al Ibadi manuscript of the Isagoge Arabic manuscript of the Isagoge The earliest Latin translation which is now no longer extant was made by Marius Victorinus in the fourth century Boethius heavily relied upon it in his own translation The earliest known Syriac translation was made in the seventh century by Athanasius of Balad An early Armenian translation of the work also exists 1 The Introduction was translated into Arabic by Ibn al Muqaffa from a Syriac version With the Arabicized name Isaghuji it long remained the standard introductory logic text in the Muslim world and influenced the study of theology philosophy grammar and jurisprudence Besides the adaptations and epitomes of this work many independent works on logic by Muslim philosophers have been entitled Isaghuji Porphyry s discussion of accident sparked a long running debate on the application of accident and essence 2 Predicables EditThe predicables Lat praedicabilis that which may be stated or affirmed sometimes called quinque voces or five words is in scholastic logic a term applied to a classification of the possible relations in which a predicate may stand to its subject The list given by the schoolmen and generally adopted by modern logicians is based on the original fourfold classification given by Aristotle Topics a iv 101 b 17 25 definition horos genus genos property idion accident sumbebekos The scholastic classification obtained from Boethius s version of the Isagoge modified Aristotle s by substituting differentia diaphora and species eidos for definition horos The method of definition by diairesis or differentiation was known and practiced by Aristotle Porphyrian Tree EditIn medieval textbooks the all important Arbor porphyriana Porphyrian Tree illustrates his logical classification of substance To this day taxonomy benefits from concepts in Porphyry s Tree in classifying living organisms see cladistics Problem of universals EditThe work is celebrated for prompting the medieval debate over the status of universals Porphyry writes For the moment I shall naturally decline to say concerning genera and species whether they subsist whether they are bare pure isolated conceptions whether if subsistent they are corporeal or incorporeal or whether they are separated from or in sensible objects and other related matters This sort of problem is of the very deepest and requires more extensive investigation aὐtika perὶ tῶn genῶn te kaὶ eἰdῶn tὸ mὲn eἴte ὑfesthken eἴte kaὶ ἐn monais psilaῖs ἐpinoiais keῖtai eἴte kaὶ ὑfesthkota swmata ἐstin ἢ ἀswmata kaὶ poteron xwristὰ ἢ ἐn toῖs aἰs8htoῖs kaὶ perὶ taῦta ὑfestῶta paraithsomai legein ba8ytaths oὔshs tῆs toiayths pragmateias kaὶ ἄllhs meizonos deomenhs ἐ3etasews 3 Though he did not mention the problem further his formulation constitutes the most influential part of his work since it was these questions that formed the basis of medieval debates about the status of universals Do universals exist in the mind or in reality If in reality are they physical things or not If physical do they have a separate existence from physical bodies or are they part of them References Edit Porphyry Introduction or Isagoge to the logical Categories ofAristotle Preface to the online edition Encyclopedia Iranica Araz accident Aristotelis opera omnia Ad optimorum librorum fidem accurate Volume 8Bibliography EditBarnes Jonathan 2003 Introduction to Introduction by Porphyry Clarendon Press modern translation of the Isagoge King Daniel 2010 The Earliest Syriac Translation of Aristotle s Categories Text Translation and Commentary Brill Porphyrii Isagoge translatio Corpus scriptorum latinorum in Latin Retrieved 2008 05 03 Pearse R Porphyry Introduction or Isagoge to the logical Categories of Aristotle Preface to the online edition Manuscripts Retrieved 2008 05 03 Porphyry Isagoge translation by Octavius Freire Owen 1853 MS 484 15 Commentum super libro Porphyrii Isagoge De decim predicamentis at OPenn Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Isagoge amp oldid 1122825548, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
