On the Heavens

On the Heavens is a work by Aristotle, first composed around 350 BCE, and stands as one of the foundational texts of ancient Greek philosophy. In this treatise, Aristotle explores the structure and nature of the universe, presenting a vision of a finite, spherical cosmos centered upon the Earth. He examines the motions of celestial bodies, the composition of the heavens, and the distinction between the eternal, unchanging realm of the stars and the mutable world below the Moon.

This work formed the basis of Western cosmology for nearly two millennia and deeply influenced both scientific and theological thought throughout the Middle Ages. Beyond its role in natural philosophy, On the Heavens carries profound metaphysical implications. Aristotle portrays the cosmos as an ordered whole, governed by purpose and rational principles, with the heavenly spheres moving in perfect harmony.

These ideas were later absorbed by Neoplatonists, Christian theologians, and Islamic philosophers, who read into it a vision of divine order reflected in the heavens. For those interested in the roots of cosmological thought and the intersection of philosophy, science, and spirituality in the ancient world, this work remains an essential and enduring text. This translation by J. L. Stocks was originally published in 1922.