, one of the most celebrated followers of Aristotle, flourished about
, one of the most celebrated followers of Aristotle, flourished about the year 200.
He was so called from Aphrodisea, a town in Caria, where
he was born. He penetrated, with such success, into the
meaning of the most profound speculations of his master,
that he was not only respected by his contemporaries as an
excellent preceptor, but was followed by subsequent Aristotelians among the Greeks, Latins, and Arabians, as the
best interpreter of Aristotle. On account of the number
and value of his commentaries, he was called, by way of
distinction, “The Commentator.
” Under the emperor Septimus Severus he was appointed public professor of the
Aristotelian philosopln r, but whether at Athens or Alexandria is uncertain. In his works he supports the doctrine
of Divine Providence; upon this head he leaned towards
Platonism, but on most other subjects adhered strictly to
Aristotle. In his book concerning the soul, he maintains
that it is not a distinct substance by itself, but the form of
an organized body.