Nous and Divinity in Aristotle’s Metaphysics Lambda

Abstract Aristotle’s divine nous of Metaphysics Λ .9 is generally understood to exclusively characterise the Prime Mover-God. This paper challenges this view by (1) drawing out the strong congruity between our ‘best state’ and that of the Prime Mover in Λ .7 and (2) removing certain key obstacles to a more inclusive reading of Λ .9: our thought is not limited to the ‘human’ kind ( ho anthrōpinos nous , 1075a7), nor is our self-knowledge always a ‘by-product’ ( en parergōi , 1074b36). Noēsis noēseōs , I contend, equally applies to some forms of our thought. Hence, divine thought is accessible—indeed, even commendable—to us, just as the ‘divine life’ of Nicomachean Ethics X.7 is.