Introduction

Physics IV.10 contains Aristotle’s triple aporia on time and what often is referred to as Aristotle’s negative account of time, in contrast with his so-called positive account in Physics IV.11–14. As opposed to in other cases when Aristotle puts forth aporias, no solution to his triple aporia on time is offered at the end of his account. The triple aporia is perplexing in nature and serves to bring the enquirer to a zero point where he must admit to not really knowing anything certain about time; this humbling experience wipes the slate clean, making room for new fresh thoughts. ‘Aporia’ may either refer to a state of mind of perplexity, caused by the object of study, or to the problem itself as it is stated in terms of an aporetic contrast. Few, if any, studies have dealt with the aporia in Physics IV.10 by a full enquiry into the entire context of Physics IV.11–14 as well as the entire book of Physics. A successful enquiry depends on (1) a careful reading and analysis of the Greek text, (2) a careful study of the entire book of Physics, (3) knowledge of Plato’s account of time in the Timaeus, (4) knowledge of Aristotle’s metaphysics/Metaphysics, (5) an understanding of what constitutes an aporia and particularly the ones in Physics IV.10, and (6) an understanding of Aristotle’s cognitive-perceptual language as he anticipates thoughts in modern cognitive science. On this basis the triple aporia can be dealt with towards reaching an euporia, a solution.