Aristotle, Metaphysics Α 3 984a5–7 (= fr. DK 13 A 4): Two-step cosmogony in Anaximenes?

Abstract

The paper examines Aristotle’s account of Anaximenes in the Metaphysics (984a5–7), arguing that a syntactical ambiguity in this sentence has generated two distinct interpretations. It is shown that the doxographical view about two steps in Anaximenes’ cosmogony may originate in the double reading of Aristotle’s sentence.