Unity, Identity, and Explanation in Aristotle's Metaphysics by Scaltas – A Scholarly Exploration of Aristotelian Substan

Introduction

For students and scholars of ancient philosophy, Aristotle’s Metaphysics remains one of the most profound and challenging works in Western thought. Unity, Identity, and Explanation in Aristotle’s Metaphysics, edited by Scaltas, brings together fourteen illuminating essays that tackle the core puzzles of substance, essence, and change. This hardcover volume from OUP Oxford is an essential resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how Aristotle conceived the unity of composite substances and their identity over time. Published for the Indian academic market, this book bridges classical scholarship with contemporary metaphysical inquiry.

Book Overview

This collection explores the fundamental questions that lie at the heart of Aristotle’s metaphysical system: What makes a substance a single, unified entity? How do potentiality and actuality explain the relationship between matter and form? And what role does essence play in preserving identity through change? The essays, written by leading figures in ancient philosophy and modern metaphysics, offer fresh perspectives on these enduring problems. Each chapter combines careful exegesis of Aristotle’s texts with rigorous philosophical analysis, making the volume both a scholarly reference and a catalyst for further debate.

Key Highlights

• Fourteen original essays by internationally recognised experts in Aristotelian studies and metaphysics.
• Focus on central concepts such as potentiality, actuality, matter, form, and essence.
• Dual approach: exegetical (faithful interpretation of Aristotle) and philosophical (engagement with modern metaphysical questions).
• Hardcover edition from OUP Oxford, a trusted name in academic publishing.
• Directly relevant to Indian university courses in philosophy, classics, and logic.

Inside the Book

The volume is structured to guide readers from foundational issues to advanced debates. Early chapters examine Aristotle’s distinction between potentiality and actuality, showing how these notions underpin his theory of hylomorphism. Later essays address the unity of composite substances—how a form and matter combine to form a single entity rather than a mere aggregate. The book also investigates identity over time, asking whether a substance remains the same despite undergoing change. Throughout, contributors draw on Aristotle’s Categories, Physics, and Metaphysics, offering close readings that illuminate the original Greek terms and their philosophical implications.

Key Topics

• Potentiality and actuality in Aristotle’s metaphysics
• The relationship between matter and form
• Unity of composite substances
• Identity and persistence through change
• Essence and its role in substance
• Explanation and causation in Aristotle
• Contemporary relevance of Aristotelian concepts

Reader Benefits

This book provides Indian students and researchers with a comprehensive, accessible entry into Aristotle’s most difficult ideas. Instead of relying on secondary summaries, readers gain direct insight from top scholars who clarify obscure passages and connect them to modern debates. The essays are self-contained, allowing you to focus on specific topics without reading the entire volume. For those preparing for competitive exams like UGC-NET or for advanced coursework, the book offers authoritative arguments and critical analyses that can strengthen your grasp of ancient philosophy. Additionally, the hardcover format ensures durability for repeated reference in libraries or personal collections.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the core concepts of potentiality and actuality as explanatory principles in Aristotle.
• Analyse how matter and form combine to create a unified substance.
• Evaluate different interpretations of identity over time in Aristotelian terms.
• Critically engage with contemporary metaphysical problems using Aristotelian tools.
• Develop skills in close reading of primary philosophical texts.

Who Should Read

This book is ideal for postgraduate students and faculty in philosophy departments across India, especially those specialising in ancient Greek philosophy or metaphysics. It will also benefit advanced undergraduates in honours programmes, researchers in classics, and anyone with a serious interest in Aristotelian thought. Scholars working in Indian philosophical traditions who wish to compare concepts of substance and identity will find the essays stimulating and insightful.

About the Author

Scaltas is a respected scholar in ancient philosophy, known for meticulous research on Aristotle’s metaphysics and philosophy of mind. With a background in both classical philology and analytic philosophy, Scaltas brings a unique clarity to complex texts. This volume reflects years of engagement with Aristotelian scholarship, assembling contributions from a global network of experts.

About the Publisher

OUP Oxford is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious academic publishers. Their philosophy list is renowned for rigorous peer review and high editorial standards. This hardcover edition is produced with the quality expected of a leading university press, ensuring accurate typesetting, durable binding, and a text that will withstand years of study.

Conclusion

Unity, Identity, and Explanation in Aristotle’s Metaphysics is an indispensable addition to any serious philosophy library. By tackling the deepest questions about what it means to be a single, persisting substance, this collection not only illuminates Aristotle’s system but also enriches our own thinking about identity and change. For Indian readers committed to philosophical excellence, this book offers a pathway into one of the richest traditions of Western thought. Order your copy today from Bookshops.in and join the conversation that has shaped metaphysics for over two millennia.