Order in Multiplicity

Aristotle attaches particular significance to the homomyny of many of the central concepts in philosophy and science: that is to the diversity of ways of being that are denoted by a single concept. Shields here investigates and evaluates Aristotle''s approach to questions about homonymy characterizing the metaphysical and semantic commitments necessary to establish the homonymy of a given concept. Then in a series of case studies he examines in detail some of Aristotle''s principal applications of homonymy--to the body sameness and oneness life goodness and being. This first full-length study of a central aspect of Aristotle''s thought will interest philosophers working in a number of areas.