Powers, Capacities and Possibilities: Dynamis in and around Aristotle

In Aristotle’s philosophical writings, the Greek term δύναμις plays a crucial and highly multifaceted role, appearing in all major treatises within the Corpus Aristotelicum. In logic, it denotes possibility; in natural philosophy, it refers to the capacity or power of a non-living or living being; and in metaphysics, it signifies potential being in contrast to actual being (ἐνέργεια or ἐντελέχεια). Additionally, in ethics, δύναμις is closely associated with the notion of habitual state or disposition (ἕξις, διάθεσις), which is central to the account of character virtues. While these uses are interrelated, scholars disagree on how best to illuminate their complex interconnections across different contexts. To address this issue and offer fresh insights into δύναμις, this workshop brings together an international team of specialists. The presented papers explore the various uses of δύναμις and its cognates not only in Aristotle’s writings but also in the works of his predecessors and successors.

The event is organized in hybrid format. Register for online participation via Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0HMClgtaQoez2C0SD0jmLA