Toward a Dynamic Conception of ousia :: Aristotle Aristotelian Legacy

Toward a Dynamic Conception of ousiaThis paper is an initial attempt to develop a dynamic conception of universe which is not anarchic. It does this by returning to Aristotle in rate to begin the process of reinterpreting the sum of ousia, the concept according to which horse opera ontology has been determined. Such a reinterpretation opens up the misfortune of understanding the dynamic nature of ontological identicalness and the principles according to which this identity is established. The development of the notions of energeia, dynamis and entelecheia in the middle books of Aristotles Metaphysics will be discussed in order to suggest that there is a dynamic ontological framework at work in Aristotles later writing. This framework lends insight into the dynamic social organisation of being itself, a structure which does justice as much to the concern for continuity through change as it does to the moment of difference. The name for this conception of identity which affirms both continuity and novelty is legacy. This paper attempts to apprehend the meaning of being as legacy.There is perhaps no idea in the history of western ontology with a more powerful legacy than Aristotles conception of ousia. Traditionally construed, ousia stands for the primary, foundational principle of being. It can be said that ontology has historically been ousiology the search for last foundations. In this quest for ultimates, the ousia names the absolute arche, the foundational principle that reigns over and orders all being. The political tone of this formulation is intentional it is designed to frame the ontological question concerning the meaning of ousia in ethico-political legal injury. The impetus behind this strategy is to suggest that western ontology has been largely determined by an authoritarian tendency that seeks to establish a single ultimate principle in order to secure a firm and certain foundation. On the one hand, this authoritarian tendency may be trac ed back to Aristotle, for ousia is on the dot such a hegemonic principle on the other hand, Aristotle also suggests another conception of ousia, one that can be drawn upon in the attempt to stretch out this authoritarian tendency. In what follows, I trace both the authoritarian and this resistant conception ousia in Aristotle.Aristotles Authoritarian OntologyTo apply the political term authoritarian to an ontological account may at first seem to be a simple category mistake. However, this first impression fails to recognize that many of the terms that have come