Searching for: "Aristotle"

  • Aristotle

    The title Politics literally means ‘the things concerning the city'. Here, Aristotle considers the important role that politics plays in the life of the community and its contribution to harmonious and virtuous existence. It is divided into eight books and was a cornerstone in political philosophy for centuries despite certain features - including attitudes towards slaves and women - clearly placing its conclusions and advice within the confines of Athenian society of the fourth century BCE. Aristotle's fundamental view is that the individual needs the city more than the city needs the individual, not least because a well-ordered city-state offers obvious benefits beyond simply...read more

  • Aristotle

    On Generation and Corruption (Ancient Greek: Περὶ γενέσεως καὶ φθορᾶς, Latin: De Generatione et Corruptione, also known as On Coming to Be and Passing Away) is a treatise by Aristotle. Like many of his texts, it is both scientific and philosophic (although not necessarily scientific in the modern sense). The philosophy, though, is essentially empirical; as in all Aristotle's works, the deductions made about the unexperienced and unobservable are based on observations and real experiences. The question raised at the beginning of the text builds on an idea from Aristotle's earlier work The Physics. Namely, whether things come into being through causes, through some...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's On Interpretation (Greek Περὶ Ἑρμηνείας or Peri Hermeneias) or De Interpretatione (the Latin title) is the second of Aristotle's six texts on logic which are collectively known as the Organon. On Interpretation is one of the earliest surviving philosophical works in the Western tradition to deal with the relationship between language and logic in a comprehensive, explicit, and formal way. The work begins by analyzing simple categoric propositions, and draws a series of basic conclusions on the routine issues of classifying and defining basic linguistic forms, such as simple terms and propositions, nouns and verbs, negation, the quantity of simple propositions...read more

  • Aristotle

    The Topics is is the fifth of Aristotle's six texts on logic which are collectively known as the Organon ("Instrument"). The Topics constitutes Aristotle's treatise on the art of dialectic—the invention and discovery of arguments in which the propositions rest upon commonly-held opinions or endoxa. Topoi are "places" from which such arguments can be discovered or invented. In his treatise on the Topics, Aristotle does not explicitly define a topos, though it is "at least primarily a strategy for argument not infrequently justified or explained by a principle." (Adapted from...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's Poetics is the earliest-surviving work of dramatic theory and the first fully intact philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. In it, the respected Greek sage offers an account of what he calls 'poetry' (which the Greeks understood to literally mean 'making'), examining its 'first principles' and identifying its genres and basic elements, including what he terms drama-comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play-as well as lyric poetry, epic poetry, and iambic pentameter, which he always associates with...read more

  • Plato

    Embark on a profound journey of wisdom with the titans of Ancient Greece: Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Explore the timeless teachings of these philosophical giants as they unravel the mysteries of life, ethics, and the pursuit of knowledge. Discover the enduring truths that have shaped civilizations and uncover the keys to a life of wisdom, virtue, and profound self-discovery. - Socrates (469 – 399 B.C.E), Plato (427 – 347 B.C.E), and Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C.E) are some of the most well-known Ancient Greek philosophers, with all three impacting the development of Western philosophical...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle is known as the “Father of Western Philosophy.” While his greatest contributions to the world lay in philosophy, logic, and ethics, he also wrote scientific texts. In “On the Motion of Animals,” Aristotle presents a theory regarding animal movement. The text pairs well with another work by Aristotle, “On the Gait of...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's Poetics is best known for its definition and analysis of tragedy and comedy, but it also applies to truth and beauty as they are manifested in the other arts. In our age, when the natural and social sciences have dominated the quest for truth, it is helpful to consider why Aristotle claimed: 'poetry is more philosophical and more significant than history.' Like so many other works by Aristotle, the Poetics has dominated the way we have thought about all forms of dramatic performance in Europe and America ever since. The essence of poetry lies in its ability to transcend the particulars of everyday experience and articulate universals, not merely what has happened but what might...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's Poetics (Greek: Περὶ ποιητικῆς; Latin: De Poetica) is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory and first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. In it, Aristotle offers an account of what he calls 'poetry' (a term that derives from a classical Greek term, ποιητής, that means 'poet; author; maker' and in this context includes verse drama – comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play – as well as lyric poetry and epic poetry). They are similar in the fact that they are all imitations but different in the three ways that Aristotle describes: Differences in music rhythm, harmony, meter and melody. Difference of goodness in the...read more

  • Seneca The Younger

    Plato, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, and Cicero are some of the famous names whose wit and wisdom are included in this audiobook, ‘700 Quotations from Ancient Philosophy’. This group of Greek philosophers, Roman Statesmen and Emperors is responsible for some of the world's best-known quotes, including 'It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.' and 'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.' Their wit and wisdom continue to inspire, educate, and entertain to this day thus making this collection ideal for those needing some philosophical guidance. - Plato, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Cicero, Seneca the...read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's 'On Life and Death' is a work that explores the concepts of life and death from a philosophical perspective. In this work, Aristotle seeks to understand what life and death are, and why they exist. He also delves into the nature of human beings and how they relate to these two concepts. Ultimately, Aristotle concludes that life and death are natural processes that all things must experience. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    'The Athenian Constitution' by Aristotle is a treatise on the ancient Greek city-state of Athens and its political structure. In the work, Aristotle examines the historical development of the Athenian government, the functions of its various institutions, and the role of its citizens in the decision-making process. Aristotle divides the Athenian government into three main types: monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. He argues that the Athenian government evolved from a monarchy to an aristocracy, and eventually to a democracy, which he believes to be the best form of government. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On the Motion of Animals' is a scientific work by Aristotle that explores the principles of motion in living beings. In this treatise, Aristotle observes and analyzes the movements of various animals, from insects to humans, in order to understand the mechanics of motion and the physiological and psychological factors that drive it. Aristotle begins by examining the different types of motion, including natural, violent, and voluntary, and how they relate to the movements of animals. He then delves into the anatomy and physiology of different animals, looking at their skeletal structures, muscular systems, and nervous systems, and how they work together to produce motion. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    Ethics is a philosophical work written by Aristotle, in which he explores the nature of human morality and virtue. In this work, Aristotle seeks to identify the highest good for human beings and determine how individuals can live a good life. Aristotle argues that the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve happiness or eudaimonia, which he defines as a state of complete well-being and fulfillment. He believes that happiness is achieved through the cultivation of virtues, which are habits of behavior that allow individuals to act in ways that promote the common good. Read in English,...read more

  • Aristotle

    'On Sophistical Refutations' is a treatise by Aristotle that explores the nature of fallacious reasoning and how it can be identified and refuted. In this work, Aristotle presents a systematic approach to detecting and exposing errors in argumentation, particularly those that rely on equivocation or ambiguity in language. He examines a variety of sophistical arguments, including those based on language, form, and logical fallacies, and offers practical strategies for detecting and refuting them. Throughout the treatise, Aristotle emphasizes the importance of precise language and clear thinking in avoiding fallacies and arriving at sound conclusions. 'On Sophistical Refutations' is a...read more

  • Aristotle

    Posterior Analytics is a treatise written by Aristotle in which he explores the nature of knowledge and how we acquire it. Aristotle argues that knowledge is obtained through a process of demonstration, which involves the use of syllogistic reasoning to arrive at a conclusion. He distinguishes between different types of demonstration, including demonstration from necessary principles and demonstration from things known to be true. Aristotle also examines the role of definition in acquiring knowledge. He argues that definitions are necessary for understanding the nature of a thing and for establishing the principles that underlie it. He also emphasizes the importance of causal analysis in...read more

  • Aristotle

    Two contrasting reflections by Aristotle which cover very particular ground. In 'On the Soul', Aristotle presents his view of the 'life essence' which, he argues, is possessed by living things whether plants, animals or humans. Not a 'soul' in the generally accepted Western use of the term, this 'soul', he says, is a life force that is indivisible from the organism that possesses it. The essay is divided into three books. Presenting his concept in book I, he further describes the structure of the 'souls' of plants, animals and humans in book II and book III. In 'The Parva Naturalia' ('Little Physical Treatises'), Aristotle continues his investigation into the biology of life and the links...read more

  • Aristotle

    For many centuries, Aristotle's Physics was the essential starting point for anyone who wished to study the natural sciences. Aristotle deals with many abstract ideas in this book, examining the phenomenon of being, space, motion, matter, time, infinity, magnitude, and more. This book is basically an explanation on how the universe works--as Aristotle understood it. It's not so much a straight forward philosophical text as it is a sort of compendium of problems that philosophers have spent the past several millenniums trying to figure out. As a book of philosophy, it seems more concerned with creating a system where these sorts of questions can be fully articulated and worked on than it is...read more

  • Aristotle

    The Constitution of the Athenians, also called the Athenian Constitution (Greek: Ἀθηναίων πολιτεία, Athenaion Politeia; Latin: Atheniensium Respublica), is a work by Aristotle or one of his students. The work describes the constitution of Athens. It is preserved on a papyrus roll from Hermopolis, published in 1891 and now in the British Library. A small part of the work also survives on two leaves of a papyrus codex, discovered in the Fayum in 1879 and now in the papyrus collection of the Ägyptisches Museum in Berlin. The Constitution of the Athenians (in ancient Greek Ἀθηναίων πολιτεία, Athenaion Politeia) describes the political system of ancient Athens....read more

  • Aristotle

    Aristotle's Organon comprises six key essays on logic, initially collected by Theophrastus, his successor as head of the Peripatetic school, and given its final form by Andronicus some three centuries later. The six essays are: Categories, On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics, Topics and On Sophistical Refutations. One of the principal topics of Aristotle's focus is syllogism, in which two premises (one major, one minor) lead to a conclusion. This features in Prior Analytics and On Interpretation. In the other essays, Aristotle considers the structure of being, knowledge and argument. The Organon collection has remained a core text in the study of logic and prompted...read more