Franz Xaver Risch
Die porphyrische Schrift ad Gaurum als
In the little investigated, pseudo-epigraphically transmitted publication Ad Gaurum, the platonian philosopher Porphyrios defends the idea that the animation of the foetus is taking place only after birth and outside of nature. Accordingly he interprets the development of the fruit of the womb according to a both metaphysically and physically valid law of creation, in that the created can only create inferior beings than itself. Therefore, it is the mothers power of cognition that regulates the development of the embryo. The philosopher looks at the animation of a natural body as paradoxical event that is, however, in accordance with reason describable within a theological context.
Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 0949-9571
Volume: 10, 02/2007
Pages: 260 - 275
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