The Nicomachean Ethics

by Aristotle, David Ross, J. L. Ackrill

Overview

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. A disciple of Plato and the tutor to Alexander the Great, Aristotle was a prolific writer, although many of his works have been lost. His treatises, used by the students of his famous Athenian school, the Lyceum, exerted a profound and lasting influence on Western thought.
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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192834072
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	01/28/1998
Series:	Oxford World's Classics Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 5.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Aristotle was born in 384BC. For twenty years he studied at Athens at the Academy of Plato, on whose death in 347 he left, and some time later became tutor to Alexander the Great. On Alexander's succession to the throne of Macedonia in 336, Aristotle returned to Athens and established his school and research institute, the Lyceum. After Alexander's death he was driven out of Athens and fled to Chalcis in Euboea where he died in 322. His writings profoundly affected the whole course of ancient and medieval philosophy.

Table of Contents

The Nicomachean EthicsPreface
Chronology
Introduction
Further Reading
A Note on the Text
Synopsis

The Nicomachean Ethics
Book I: The Object of Life
Book II: Moral Goodness
Book III: Moral Responsibility: Two Virtues
Book IV: Other Moral Virtues
Book V: Justice
Book VI: Intellectual Virtues
Book VII: Continence and Incontinence: THe Nature of Pleasure
Book VIII: The Kinds of Friendship
Book IX: The Grounds of Friendship
Book X: Pleasure and the Life of Happiness

Appendix 1: Table of Virtues and Vices
Appendix 2: Pythagoreanism
Appendix 3: The Sophists and Socrates
Appendix 4: Plato's Theory of Forms
Appendix 5: The Catagories
Appendix 6: Substance and Change
Appendix 7: Nature and Theology
Appendix 8: The Practical Syllogism
Appendix 9: Pleasure and Process
Appendix 10: Liturgies
Appendix 11: Aristotle in the Middle Ages

Glossary of Greek Words
Index of Names
Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

"Very useful as a cornerstone for our discussion of ethics and the Western moral tradition. The translation is elegant."—Dominic A. Aquila, Rochester Institute of Technology

"A fine translation of an essential classic in the field of ethics."—Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin

"The index is extremely helpful. The 'contents' are also a helpful tool. The numbering and division titles also make this book a little easier to teach."—Rose Marie Surwilo, College of St. Francis

"Very useful text of Aristotle: the translation presents no pitfalls to a beginning student; the editor's organization is useful but unitrusive; and finally, the cost is perfect."—Nickolas O. Papas, Hollins College

"An excellent translation and edition."—Winfield J.C. Myers, University of Georgia

"Most lucid and accessible edition popularly available."—John L. Hemingway, Washington State University

From the Publisher