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Document Details :

Title: Averroes' Rewrite of Aristotle's Metaphysics Δ
Subtitle: Establishing the Plain Meaning of the Text in the Middle Commentary
Author(s): HALPER, Yehuda
Journal: Recherches de Théologie et Philosophie Médiévales
Volume: 86    Issue: 2   Date: 2019   
Pages: 259-281
DOI: 10.2143/RTPM.86.2.3287113

Abstract :
Averroes’ Middle Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics Δ provides a rewrite of Aristotle’s text that was apparently intended to convey the plain meaning of the text to a general, though at least somewhat educated, audience. Such a commentary was necessary because ᾿Usṭāṯ’s ninth-century Arabic translation was insufficient in many respects for conveying Aristotle’s ideas into Arabic. Accordingly, Averroes’ Middle Commentary sought to rephrase and rewrite the text in such a way as to clarify the text, correct apparent errors in it, simplify the text, and add short explanations to it. This article offers a philological characterization of the Middle Commentary that should be an aid for reading the text and comparing it with other commentaries, especially Averroes’ Long Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics Δ.

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