par Viltanioti, Irini-Fotini
Référence Journal of ancient philosophy, 6, 2, page (1-31)
Publication Publié, 2012
Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : The main claim of this paper is that powers are the fundamental entities in Philolaus’ ontology. Limiters (περαίνοντα) and unlimiteds (ἄπειρα) are to be respectively understood as the power to limit and the power to be limited. As powers to do something, limiters and unlimiteds are different from their individual bearers, namely the “things that are” (ἐόντα). Number or harmony, that is the power to fit together, makes, along with the basic powers to limit and to be limited, things what they are. Philolaus’ φύσις should be understood as the outcome of the working of the three other powers, namely περαίνοντα, ἄπειρα and ἁρμονία, coming together and coming to be realized (ἁρμόχθη). In other words, φύσις is the state that results from the realization of the three fundamental powers. Philolaus’ ἐόντα are to be considered as coming out of the four primary powers and of what Philolaus refers to as ἐστώ. Thus, Philolaus appears to be one of the first power structuralists.