This volume investigates the foundational aporiai, or philosophical difficulties, presented in Book Beta of Aristotle's Metaphysics to determine their role in the pursuit of wisdom. The editors, André Laks and Michel Crubellier, curate a collection of essays from nine prominent scholars of ancient philosophy. By analyzing these specific problems, the contributors provide a rigorous framework for understanding Aristotle's ontological inquiries into causation, substance, and the nature of the perishable and imperishable world.

Experts recognize this volume as a significant contribution to the study of Aristotelian texts, particularly for its focused, granular approach to the complexities of Book Beta. Scholars frequently cite the work for its high level of academic rigor and its utility as a specialized resource for those engaged in advanced philosophical research.