Aristotle stands as one of history's most profound philosophical minds, whose extensive writings have shaped intellectual discourse for millennia. His work traversed an astonishing breadth of subjects, from the abstract realms of logic and metaphysics to the practicalities of ethics, politics, and aesthetics. A keen observer and meticulous researcher, his empirical approach, particularly in biology, laid foundational groundwork for scientific inquiry. Aristotle's thought, though complex and subject to ongoing interpretation, continues to stimulate debate and scholarly interest, attesting to its enduring significance.
In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle examines the nature of happiness, which he defines as a specially good kind of life. He considers the nature of practical reasoning, friendship, and the role and importance of the moral virtues in the best life. This new edition features a revised translation and valuable new introduction and notes.
With the emergence of democracy in the city-state of Athens in the years around 460 BC, public speaking became an essential skill for politicians in the Assemblies and Councils - and even for ordinary citizens in the courts of law. In response, the technique of rhetoric rapidly developed, bringing virtuoso performances and a host of practical manuals for the layman. While many of these were little more than collections of debaters' tricks, the Art of Rhetoric held a far deeper purpose. Here Aristotle establishes the methods of informal reasoning, provides the first aesthetic evaluation of prose style and offers detailed observations on character and the emotions. Hugely influential upon later Western culture, the Art of Rhetoric is a fascinating consideration of the force of persuasion and sophistry, and a compelling guide to the principles behind oratorical skill. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Presents the author's mature rejection of both the Platonic theory that what we perceive is just a pale reflection of reality and the hard-headed view that all processes are the material. In this book, the author argued instead that the reality or substance of things lies in their concrete forms.
Edited and Translated by D.M. Balme