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 | | Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan Barnes ISBN-10: 9780192854087 ISBN-10: 0-19-285408-9 ISBN-13: 9780192854087 ISBN-13: 978-0-19-285408-7 Paperback 2001-01-18 Oxford University Press, USA Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description The influence of Aristotle, the prince of philosophers, on the intellectual history of the West is second to none. In this book, Jonathan Barnes examines Aristotle's scientific researches, his discoveries in logic and his metaphysical theories, his work in psychology and in ethics and politics, and his ideas about art and poetry, placing his teachings in their historical context. | ||
Reviews | ||
An Approachable Introduction to The Philosopher This informative introduction to Aristotle is bursting with interesting facts and provides a nice summary of Aristotle's works with a very good description of Aristotle's emphasis on teleology. The author is very fond of Aristotle and refers to him repeatedly as a "philosophical scientist"(p. 35) and never ceases attempting to wrap Aristotle in a lab-coat. I sensed however, that this emphasis on Aristotle as empiricist undercut Aristotle's lasting contribution as a realist philosopher and reveals Barnes' subtle anti-ontological slant that pervades the book. This is such a pity, because when Barnes suggests that "Aristotle ought to have taken scepticism more seriously"(p. 96) he undermines the means Aristotle uses to defend objective knowledge in the Metaphysics, which Barnes views as an "obscure work" (p. 64). I was impressed to see some coverage of the Meterologica and On the Heavens although Barnes excludes examples that clearly show that Aristotle fails to live to his dictum that "observation always has priority over theory". (p. 113) Aristotle hardly had observation in mind when he states in 'On the Heavens (273b)' that a body with twice the mass of another will fall twice as fast. It would also have been helpful had Barnes explored the influence of Socrates and paganism on Aristotle's writings. Had Barnes done so he may have found the answer to his question "why did Aristotle not develop a decent chemistry or an adequate physics?" (p. 110) That for Aristotle, the "objects of astronomy are not perishable but eternal" (p. 57) may provide a clue towards the answer. These minor criticisms aside, Barnes has written a worthy treatise on The Philosopher and should whet one's appetite for further reading. Further Reading: Aristotle for Everybody - Adler was Aristotle's most articulate and passionate spokesman in recent times. An Introduction to Philosophy: The Perennial Principles of the Classical Realist Tradition - A compact introduction to realist philosophy from an Aristotelian-Thomist viewpoint. Means to Message: A Treatise on Truth - A Systematic Approach to Philosophy from Aristotelian Realist stance, suitable for the enthusiastic layman. From Aristotle to Darwin & Back Again - A Masterful study of the role of teleology and purpose by the 20th century's greatest Thomist, Etienne Gilson. | ||
A very good short introduction This was an enjoyable and very readable view of Aristotle. I think this book captures the spirit of the Very Short Introduction series. It can whet your appetite to do more research on Aristotle. If not, you still feel like you have a good overall look on Aristotle's life and teachings. When the wording is overly technical the author gives a simple example to help the reader understand the concept. | ||
Review of Barne's Very Short Introduction to Aristotle I read this as an introduction to Barnes' translation of the 'Complete Works of Aristotle'. Oddly, neither of the volumes contains an adequate biographical or thematical introduction to Aristotle, so it was nice to find that Barnes had written one in another venture. Barnes, in my experience, always maintains a detached, fair-handed position as a scholar, which is very helpful. This book is generally lucid and approachable. It is not especially interesting or witty, but I feel it would be foolish to expect such from Aristotle. Serving perfectly as an introduction to Barnes' Complete Aristotle, this work looks at the philosopher's biography, his relation to Plato, and the structure of his outlook. There is honestly little on Aristotelian theory itself, and more on the nature of Aristotle's work. There is more of "Aristotle tends to speak about things this way" and less "This is what Aristotle says." I do not feel this is s stand-alone primer on Aristotle. It should be followed by a reading of Aristotle. This worked wonderfully for me, but I don't feel it serves the purpose of this work's usual reader. I have a few other criticisims. Barnes writes his biography backwords, begining with Aristotle in old age and moving toward his youth; this was difficult to take notes on. Also, there is little on the legacy of Aristotle in the middle ages, on the transmission of his work and the gravity of his theories. Overall, this would have worked well as an attached introduction to Barnes' Complete Aristotle, but as a stand-alone book, it feels a bit weak. | ||
An outstanding introduction to and evaluation of Aristotle Barnes tells the story of Aristotle's life briefly,and then discusses his contributions in various areas of intellectual life. The first and great impulse of Aristotle is the desire to know and Barnes makes it clear how Aristotle for over one- thousand years was ' the master of all those who know'. He seemed to take interest in every area of study, and his researches in the physical world were for centuries at the forefront of human knowledge. Barnes makes it clear that the Aristotelian view of the world scientifically was ' exploded' by the scientific revolution. No one teaches Aristotle's biology or physics today, and no one uses his methods. On the other hand in other areas, such as ethics and aesthetics his ideas still have a power and voice. The love of knowledge in Aristotle as Barnes makes clear was combined with his understanding of the human being as ' social animals'. Therefore no matter how high a value he placed on the contemplative life ( and this as the key to eudaemonia or happiness in Aristotle's thought) he understand the social, and political aspect of life as human necessity. Barnes outlines Aristotle's political theory, his perhaps too optimistic a view of the role of the state, his exclusion of whole human groups which we today consider rightfully entitled to participate in the ruling of society. Barnes too makes an interesting analysis of the written style of Aristotle's work, taking it to be dry, factual, and without the poetic and imaginative elegance of Aristotle's great teacher, Plato. He shows how for Aristotle the chief value is in the transmitting of knowledge and that language is thus treated not as an end in itself, but as instrument. One cannot help noting the great irony in Aristotle's story. He who loved knowledge so much and was so devoted to its accumulation and dissemination, nonetheless fostered countless misconceptions. There are many who believe his Physics held Mankind back for generations. Nonetheless taken all in all , aside from his enormous historical role, Aristotle stands as a figure a great example of one fundamental human value , the quest for and love of knowledge and learning. Barnes makes it clear that we have much to learn from him still. | ||
Informative but dull Barnes tries to give a unified presentation of Aristotle's work, but his method of quoting often from Aristotle's work makes the writing seem choppy. The reader does understand that reading Aristotle's work is even more unpleasant than reading this book. A better example of a short introduction that is done successfully is "Plato" by R.M. Hare, also from Oxford U. Press. I have no quarrel with the quality of the content in the book by Jonathan Barnes, just the organization that makes Aristotle's work seem disjointed and the presentation that makes the book dull. So many philosophy books only touch the mind, not our lives. For books that touch your life I recommend "Socrates Cafe" by Christopher Phillips, although it was written to follow contemporary publishers formulas. "Achieve Lasting Happiness" by Robert Canright does not follow formulas. It is unique, but it does not follow the Greek traditions. It follows Chinese traditions, but Canright shows the Ancient Chinese had much in common with Aristotle. | ||