THEOPHRASTUS’ METAPHYSICS IN THE LIGHT OF ARISTOTLE’S DIALECTIC

Abstract

In this paper, the author tries to show the connection between Theophrastus’ Metaphysics and Aristotle’s dialectical method. The author will analyze the dialectical method through its connection with two important concepts in Aristotle’s philosophy: the concepts of endoxa and aporia. We will point out the way in which Aristotle moves through aporia in his works – through the stages of diaporia and euporia. It will be shown that Aristotle think in aporetic and endoxic-dialectical way. In this sense, we will try to point out that Theophrastus Metaphysics is very close to Aristotle at the level of the methodology of thinking itself, and that the way in which Theophrastus derives arguments and moves within the aporia is essentially Aristotelian. So Theophrastus, even when he questions the positions of Aristotle’s Metaphysics, acts in anaporetic-dialectical manner.