John Philoponus c. 490 AD – c. 570 AD
John Philoponus (c. 490 AD – c. 570 AD) was a Greek philosopher of the Medieval era, associated with Platonism and Christian Philosophy.
John Philoponus was a Greek Alexandrian Christian philosopher, theologian, and Aristotelian commentator of late antiquity. A pupil of the Neoplatonist Ammonius Hermiae, he produced commentaries on much of Aristotle that broke decisively with pagan Aristotelian orthodoxy on key points. In his On the Eternity of the World against Proclus and against Aristotle he argued, from physical and conceptual principles, that the world had a beginning in time. He developed an early theory of impetus to replace Aristotle's account of projectile motion, anticipating later medieval and early modern dynamics, and his Christological writings shaped Miaphysite theology in Syria and Egypt.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Greek
- Era
- Medieval
- Movements
- Platonism, Christian Philosophy
Selected quotes
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Attributed to John Philoponus:
“The world has a beginning in time.”
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Attributed to John Philoponus:
“Aristotle erred in supposing the heavens to be eternal.”
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Attributed to John Philoponus:
“A body in motion carries within it an impressed force.”
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Attributed to John Philoponus:
“What has been brought into being by God is not, on that account, less rationally ordered.”
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Attributed to John Philoponus:
“Christianity does not contradict reason rightly used.”
John Philoponus by topic
Frequently asked about John Philoponus
- When did John Philoponus live?
- John Philoponus was born in c. 490 AD and died in c. 570 AD.
- Where was John Philoponus from?
- John Philoponus was a Greek philosopher of the Medieval era.
- What philosophical movements is John Philoponus associated with?
- John Philoponus was associated with Platonism and Christian Philosophy.
- What was John Philoponus known for?
- John Philoponus was a Greek Alexandrian Christian philosopher, theologian, and Aristotelian commentator of late antiquity.
- How many quotes are attributed to John Philoponus?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from John Philoponus in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.