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This Element introduces Aristotle's doctrine of hylomorphism, which provides an account of substances in terms of their 'matter' and 'form', adapting and applying it to the interface between physics and biology. It begins by indicating some reasons for the current revival of hylomorphism and by suggesting a way of classifying the confusing array of hylomorphisms that have arisen. It argues that, in order for composite entities to have irreducible causal powers which make a difference to how nature unfolds, they must have substantial forms which transform their matter such that the powers of their physical parts are grounded in the composite entity as a whole. It suggests how a contemporary form of hylomorphism might contribute to the philosophy of biology by grounding the non-intentional form of teleology that features in the identity conditions of biological systems, affirming a real distinction between living organisms and heaps of matter.

Hylomorphism. --- Form and matter --- Hylemorphism --- Matter and form --- Unity of form (Philosophy) --- Matter --- Metaphysics --- Peripatetics --- Substance (Philosophy)

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Despite more than half a century of theoretical work, the Casimir effect is still not as fully understood as some suppose. In this treatise, the author uncovers new puzzles and paradoxes concerning this mysterious phenomenon. In particular, he clearly demonstrates that the most sophisticated theories fail when confronted with dielectrics in which the refractive index is not uniform but gradually changes.

Quantum mechanics. Quantumfield theory --- Optics. Quantum optics --- Electromagnetism. Ferromagnetism --- Elementary particles --- Physics --- elementaire deeltjes --- kwantumleer --- elektrodynamica --- fysica --- optica

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"The last two decades have seen two significant trends emerging within the philosophy of science: the rapid development and focus on the philosophy of the specialised sciences, and a resurgence of Aristotelian metaphysics, much of which is concerned with the possibility of emergence, as well as the ontological status and indispensability of dispositions and powers in science. Despite these recent trends, few Aristotelian metaphysicians have engaged directly with the philosophy of the specialised sciences. Additionally, the relationship between fundamental Aristotelian concepts--such as "hylomorphism", "substance", and "faculties"--and contemporary science has yet to receive a critical and systematic treatment. Neo-Aristotelian Perspectives on Contemporary Science aims to fill this gap in the literature by bringing together essays on the relationship between Aristotelianism and science that cut across interdisciplinary boundaries. The chapters in this volume are divided into two main sections covering the philosophy of physics and the philosophy of the life sciences. Featuring original contributions from distinguished and early-career scholars, this book will be of interest to specialists in analytical metaphysics and the philosophy of science."--Provided by publisher.

Science --- Philosophy. --- Normal science --- Philosophy of science --- Alexander Pruss --- Alexander R. Pruss --- Anna Marmodoro --- Aristotelian metaphysics --- actuality --- biological unity --- biology --- Christopher Austin --- Christopher J. Austin --- chemistry --- Daniel De Haan --- Daniel D. De Haan --- David Oderberg --- David S. Oderberg --- dispositional eliminativism --- Edward Feser --- emergentism --- entangled objects --- Functionalist theory of mental states --- faculties --- Humean dispositionalism --- history of science --- hylomorphism --- Janice Chik Breidenbach --- John Haldane --- mental-physical distinction --- Nancy Cartwright --- Nicholas J. Teh --- Nicholas Teh --- natural sciences

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