The Time of Activity?

Abstract

This article reexamines the Aristotelian notion of καιρός in light of a puzzling passage of the Prior Analytics in which Aristotle both denies that καιρός is the right or needed time (χρόνος δέων) and affirms that there is καιρός for God. I argue that we can make sense of this passage if we read the χρόνος-καιρός distinction in light of the distinction Aristotle makes between motion (κίνησις) and activity (ἐνέργεια). Doing so, I propose an activity-based interpretation of καιρός as an alternative to the standard understanding of καιρός as the ‘time needed’. This novel account applies to both divine and human activities.