On Colors

Aristotle. Aristotelis Opera, Volume 6. Bekker, Immanuel, editor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1837.

Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a treatise on natural philosophy that explores the mechanisms of color generation and transformation in the natural world from physical and physiological perspectives. The discussion begins with the definition of "simple colors" (such as white and black) linked to the four elements, explaining how they mix with light, shadow, and reflection to produce various "composite colors." The author then explains the relationship between color and the microscopic pores of matter through observations of dyeing techniques, before expanding the inquiry to the organic realm. The text examines how the leaves and fruits of plants change from green to diverse colors during maturation and drying, and how the colors of animal hair, feathers, and skin shift based on the maturation of moisture and the supply of nutrients. Ultimately, the work demonstrates that all natural coloration can be explained through a consistent set of physical factors, namely the interaction of moisture, nutrients, heat, and light.