ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes three points what should be said about the character, the background and the impact of Lefèvre's enterprise on sixteenth-century Aristotelianism. The general facts, regarding Lefèvre's life and his 'reform of Aristotelianism' are accessible in the various publications on Lefevre by Eugene Rice, who also provided a precious edition of related documents. Beginning with the commentaries, which Lefevre published only for the Ethics, Economics and Politics, they are divided into two parts: the notae and the commentarius ad litter am. When Lefevre on his return from Italy publishes his Paraphrasis to Aristotle's natural philosophy, he goes one step further, as becomes clear from his preface to the reader. The paraphrases are no longer just an instrument to support the retention of some already elucidated text for the purpose of easy application, but they have themselves become a means to clarify the text – as up to the days of Lefevre had been the purpose of the commentaries.
