On Destiny

(transl. by Monika Komsta)

Abstract

Alexander of Aphrodisia in his treatise attempts to present his own conception of destiny, which – as he stresses – is to be in line with the teaching of Aristotle. Fate is identified with one of the efficient causes, namely with nature. The greater part of the work is devoted to a polemic with Stoics, whom he regarded as his main opponents. What is characteristic, he does argue with those representatives of the Stoic school who were his contemporaries (New Stoa), but with the founders of this philosophical trend. From this point of view, the treatise is one ot the main sources to study the views represented by the old Stoic school.