Changing Kinds: Aristotle and the Aristotelians

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Published: Sep 26, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.45.2015.794
Keywords:
species essentialism, Aristotle, teleology, genetic engineering, evolutionary theory

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Stephen R. L. Clark
The University of Liverpool

Abstract

Aristotle is routinely blamed for several errors that, it is supposed, held 'science' back for centuries - among others, a belief in distinct, homogenous and unchanging species of living creatures, an essentialist account of human nature, and a suggestion that 'slavery' was a natural institution. This paper briefly examines Aristotle's own arguments and opinions, and the perils posed by a contrary belief in changeable species. Contrary to received opinion even amongst some of his followers, Aristotle was not a species essentialist and his ethical theory, properly expanded, provides arguments against bioengineering human and other species without a clear view of what should count as beauty.

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How to Cite
“Changing Kinds: Aristotle and the Aristotelians”. 2015. Diametros, no. 45 (September): 19-34. https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.45.2015.794.
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No. 45 (2015)
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Special Topic – Aristotelian Recources of Bioethics

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Author Biography

Stephen R. L. Clark, The University of Liverpool

Prof. Stephen R. L. Clark
Emeritus Professor
The University of Liverpool
c/o Department of Philosophy
Liverpool L69 3BX
United Kingdom

E-mail: srlclark@liverpool.ac.uk

How to Cite

“Changing Kinds: Aristotle and the Aristotelians”. 2015. Diametros, no. 45 (September): 19-34. https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.45.2015.794.
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