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Nicomachean Ethics (Dover Thrift Editions: Philosophy) Paperback – Unabridged, February 4, 1998
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Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is one of the world's great books. Identifying happiness as the goal of life, he rejects pleasure, fame, and wealth as means to it. The summit of human achievement is attainable only through the contemplation of philosophic truth, because this practice exercises the virtue peculiar to the human being, the rational principle.
This inexpensive edition of a philosophical landmark will prove an invaluable resource to students and general readers alike.
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherDover Publications
- Publication dateFebruary 4, 1998
- Reading age14 years and up
- Dimensions5.04 x 0.79 x 8.07 inches
- ISBN-109780486400969
- ISBN-13978-0486400969
- Lexile measure1420L
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Debuting in 1990, the Thrift Editions library of classic literature is a top choice for teachers, students, librarians, and recreational readers around the world. Dover’s longstanding mission of exceptional value has consistently offered excellence in classic fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry.
Dover Thrift Editions are low priced, compact (5"x8"), complete and unabridged.
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From the Publisher
Aristotle identifies the goal of life as happiness and discusses its attainment through the contemplation of philosophic truth.
Hailed by Dante as "the master of those who know," the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) surveyed every field of learning known to the ancient world and pioneered the sciences of psychology and logic.
This enduringly profound treatise was first used by the students of Aristotle's famous Athenian school, the Lyceum; since then it has exercised a lasting effect on Western philosophy and continues to resonate for modern readers.
Product details
- ASIN : 0486400964
- Publisher : Dover Publications; Reprint Edition (February 4, 1998)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780486400969
- ISBN-13 : 978-0486400969
- Reading age : 14 years and up
- Lexile measure : 1420L
- Item Weight : 7.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.04 x 0.79 x 8.07 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #789,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,371 in Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy
- #2,782 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality
- #19,063 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Aristotle (/ˈærɪˌstɒtəl/; Greek: Ἀριστοτέλης [aristotélɛːs], Aristotélēs; 384–322 BC) was a Greek philosopher and scientist born in the city of Stagira, Chalkidice, on the northern periphery of Classical Greece. His father, Nicomachus, died when Aristotle was a child, whereafter Proxenus of Atarneus became his guardian. At eighteen, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of thirty-seven (c. 347 BC). His writings cover many subjects – including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music, rhetoric, linguistics, politics and government – and constitute the first comprehensive system of Western philosophy. Shortly after Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and, at the request of Philip of Macedon, tutored Alexander the Great starting from 343 BC. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, "Aristotle was the first genuine scientist in history ... [and] every scientist is in his debt."
Teaching Alexander the Great gave Aristotle many opportunities and an abundance of supplies. He established a library in the Lyceum which aided in the production of many of his hundreds of books. The fact that Aristotle was a pupil of Plato contributed to his former views of Platonism, but, following Plato's death, Aristotle immersed himself in empirical studies and shifted from Platonism to empiricism. He believed all peoples' concepts and all of their knowledge was ultimately based on perception. Aristotle's views on natural sciences represent the groundwork underlying many of his works.
Aristotle's views on physical science profoundly shaped medieval scholarship. Their influence extended into the Renaissance and were not replaced systematically until the Enlightenment and theories such as classical mechanics. Some of Aristotle's zoological observations, such as on the hectocotyl (reproductive) arm of the octopus, were not confirmed or refuted until the 19th century. His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, which was incorporated in the late 19th century into modern formal logic.
In metaphysics, Aristotelianism profoundly influenced Judeo-Islamic philosophical and theological thought during the Middle Ages and continues to influence Christian theology, especially the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church. Aristotle was well known among medieval Muslim intellectuals and revered as "The First Teacher" (Arabic: المعلم الأول).
His ethics, though always influential, gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics. All aspects of Aristotle's philosophy continue to be the object of active academic study today. Though Aristotle wrote many elegant treatises and dialogues – Cicero described his literary style as "a river of gold" – it is thought that only around a third of his original output has survived.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Copy of Lysippus (Jastrow (2006)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
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Now that that's out of the way, let me get into why I love this guy's point of view. First of all : Aristotle was so legit that King Phillip hand picked him to educate his son Alexander. Aristotle was so bossy about it that he told Phillip to keep the classroom, the only way he would agree was if Phillip built him an entire school! Now that's what you call clout! Anyway, Alexander went on to be great, hence the name "Alexander The Great". If I were preparing to establish my empire, while simultaneously envisioning a dynasty, and I could hand pick anybody to be my point man, I would probably choose Aristotle and here's why: There were many kings throughout ancient history; and there were many different types, personalities, and characteristics among them. I've narrowed it down to three different types: The noble king, the warrior king, and the wise king. Some of the most infamous kings were warrior kings, like Julius Caesar and "Alexander The Great"; who specialized in hostile takeovers through the use of brute force. Every once in a while there would come along a wise king like Marcus Aurelius; whose profound insight and great authoritative principles still resonate with people in positions of leadership all across the world to this day. Then there's the noble king, like Fredrich Wilhelm; who along with Otto Von Bismarck maintained leadership by earning the trust of his territory's occupants, and making thoughtful decisions that would ultimately benefit all it's inhabitants for the better throughout his reign. Wilhelm and Bismarck were able to unify Germany and enjoy relative peace as a result.
Now there were kings who made reckless decisions during their reign, like "Alexander The Great"; who once he had acquired a substantial amount of power begin to abandon the teachings of Aristotle and behave in a manner contrary to how he was brought up. He engaged in behavior that wasn't very becoming of "The Magnanimous Man". Although, very powerful while he was alive, he had left such a bad taste in the mouths of his territories inhabitants that soon after Alexander was dead his entire blood line was executed. The abuse of power is usually the culprit when events like this take place. The same as with the case of King Tarquinius and his son Sextus who were overthrown due to abuse of power. The people I just listed were people who were only able to acquire kingdoms in their lifetime, but having someone like Aristotle in your corner on a consistent basis is how you would actually establish and sustain a kingdom, there's a big difference. What "Alexander The Great" experienced in his time was the equivalent of 15 minutes of fame, compared to a legacy he could've passed down from generation to generation had he not abandoned the doctrines of Aristotle.
That's all ancient history though. Fast forward to today. You don't have to ascend from royalty to utilize Aristotle's insight and helpful advice. I believe that the greatness that Aristotle aimed to withdraw from his pupils back then resides likewise in us all today. It just manifest itself in various ways. The way to access our true excellence is by exercising moral virtue as Aristotle so adamantly stresses throughout his teachings. There are so many different translations and versions of Aristotle's work being taught and read all across the world that it is impossible to deny the impact he has had on our society, even today. Aristotle was an excellent thinker and I believe we could all benefit from his insight in some way or another. Paul Mccartney wrote "Eleanor Rigby" for the Beatles, but Ray Charles got a hold of it an sang it as if he saw the entire story unfold with his own two eyes, and in that instance one group of great people from a totally different place, in a totally different part of the world were able to connect with another group of great people, essentially because of one party describing a scenario that the other could relate to somehow. This is what you call true genius! Besides the vices, the negative aspects of being a megastar, which I'm sure Aristotle would strongly advise against, I like to think that when a freakishly sublime, extraordinarily unseemly occurrence of greatness just mysteriously happens like this out of nowhere that Aristotle is sitting next to the king of kings smiling and saying, "see I told you".
Aristotle saw the greatness in us all even way back then in his era, and I always appreciate when I come across something that I feel like was laid out for my benefit. Somewhere, in the roughest part of town, in what would be considered the slums by anybodies standards, there's a young person observing their surroundings, and where everyone else who is looking only sees dirt, that person sees diamonds. Where everyone else who looks only sees rubble, that person only sees a kingdom that has yet to be built. I recommend this book to that person. Aristotle is the man who can help you understand your brilliance and also cultivate the greatness that resides within you. Somewhere on the lower end of the totem pole, there's someone who where other people only notice the misfortune sees an opportunity to shine and a chance to overcome a challenge. Maybe someone who knows their value when others don't, and knows that they have what it takes to be great and is working to move up in the company structure or something to that effect, this book will definitely help you access the greatness that resides in you. Besides that I recommend this book to anyone who seeks a better understanding in regards to the nature of things and how the world works, this book would definitely benefit you.
Aside from reviewing the specific edition here, I would also like to make a couple of critical remarks about the text itself. This is a difficult thing to do with classics such as this because the historical influence and importance of the text renders such remarks not a little superfluous. Nevertheless, a few limited thoughts might be in order.
First, one other reviewer has commented on the relation of the "Ethics" to Christianity. I, too, am a Christian, and I think it is important to offer reviews explicitly informed by my faith. Nevertheless, I think the other Christian reviewer is slightly mistaken. To be sure, he is right when he says that Aristotle, though not a Christian, got a lot right and some things wrong. For we should not expect anyone, established historical icon or no, to be right all the time (except Scripture, of course). However, the one thing I think the other reviewer is mistaken about is that, although Aristotle suggests that the purpose of life is happiness, I don't think this is per se contrary to Christian teaching. The other reviewer is right to say that the purpose of life, from a Christian point of view, is to glorify God. However, is Aristotle's notion of happiness contrary to this purpose? I think that it is not, or at least that it is not clearly contrary to it. Happiness for Aristotle is found in it purest human form in those whose life is characterized by contemplation. This is so because contemplation, among all human activities, is the activity that most approximates the divine. Further, it is contemplation in accordance with virtue that makes a man happy. And further yet, contemplation, according to Aristotle, should lead us to act; that is to live a virtuous life. Thus, I think Aristotle's message is roughly translatable to the Christian message, which is something like: a man is most happy when his life is characterized by contemplation of the things of God, which leads to acting in accordance with God's commands (i.e., glorifying God). But enough about Aristotle in relation to Christianity...
I would like to end this review with two recommendations. First, if you're looking for secondary reading that will illuminate Aristotle's "Ethics", I would recommend The Blackwell Guide to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (Blackwell Guides to Great Works) , edited by Richard Kraut. That book is a collection of essays exclusively concerning Aristotle's "Ethics", and is very useful for deeper understanding. Second, a lighter and yet broader (topically) read: On the Unseriousness of Human Affairs: Teaching, Writing, Playing, Believing, Lecturing, Philosophizing, Singing, Dancing by James Schall. If you read Schall's book before the "Ethics", I think your motivation to read the "Ethics" will be enhanced. If you read Schall's book after you read the "Ethics", I think you will better see how Aristotle's work has influenced other important writers throughout the ages.
In any event, happy reading!
Logic and Rhetoric at its finest.
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