Studying ancient philosophical works might seem to many students like an antiquated endeavor, akin to reading Euclid’s Elements or Newton’s Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy when compared to the empirical sciences. However, in philosophy, especially metaphysics, I’ve realized this is not the case. Metaphysics, which inherently involves thinking beyond, yet still accounting for, our empirical realities, reveals secrets to ancient philosophers that we continually rediscover through our own perspectives and experiences. Through a close reading of these ancient texts, one can always find references, however obscure or ambiguous, to ideas we might consider novel in philosophy. As my tutor and friend often argues, while modern philosophy has become more precise and clear in its terminology and descriptions, the ancients are truly the giants upon whose shoulders we stand.
Among those giants is Aristotle, whose works form a significant part of my PhilTeR Master’s program at the University of Lucerne. Of particular interest to my research is his thoughts on questions related to God and being. His Metaphysics has been of utmost importance throughout the ages, not least because of its speculative and complex nature, which shaped philosophical debates throughout the Middle Ages. Compiled at the peak of ancient philosophy, Metaphysics reflects the ideas of Aristotle’s predecessors in speculative philosophy and his conclusions from empirical and philosophical inquiry. Its monumental impact is best appreciated through close study and by tracing its influence on modern Western philosophical thought.
As part of my Master’s research, and aligned with contemporary philosophers such as Enrico Berti, Aryeh Kosman, and Stephen Menn, I am investigating the core objectives of Aristotle’s metaphysics and its true meaning. The central topics—being qua being and the Prime Mover—have been the focus of recent scholarship, alongside structural and textual analyses of the work. In a recent paper, I argued that there has been a historical tendency to equate the Prime Mover with God, which I believe has skewed the interpretation of Metaphysics. Initially, this caused me sleepless nights, as I struggled to reconcile Aristotle with this theistic perspective. The dogmatic lens through which I had viewed him became increasingly problematic. However, after engaging with commentaries and more recent interpretations, I have come to believe that to fully understand Metaphysics, we must let go of medieval interpretations of the Prime Mover.
Furthermore, Aristotle’s other works, such as Physics, On the Heavens, and On the Motion of Animals, offer invaluable insights into his philosophy. For Aristotle, the universe formed a whole, even when studied in parts. My ongoing research will continue to investigate his metaphysics through a naturalistic lens, as opposed to the supernatural interpretations that prevailed during the Middle Ages. This approach is not entirely new, as medieval philosophers like al-Farabī and Averroes shared similar perspectives. However, it opens up fresh possibilities for discovering closer connections between our philosophical thought and that of the ancients.
Karim Ayad
Karim Ayad is currently pursuing a Master's in Philosophy, Theology, and Religions at the University of Lucerne. He graduated from Concordia University in 2006 with a degree in electrical engineering before beginning a career in telecom, financial, and data management industries. His research interests include Aristotle's Prime Mover and the intersection of language, knowledge, and authority.
