Politics: Books I and II
Books I and II
Published on 7. December 1995
Book
Paperback/Softback
210 pages
978-0-19-824894-1 (ISBN)
Description
This volume contains a clear and accurate translation of the first two books of Aristotle's Politics, together with a philosophical commentary. The Politics is a key document in Western political thought. In these first two books, Aristotle shows his mastery of political theory and practice, and raises many theoretical and practical political issues which are still with us today.
In Book I, he argues vigorously for a political theory based on 'nature'. By nature, man is a 'political animal', one naturally fitted for life in a polis or state. Some people, however, are natural slaves; and women are by nature subordinate to men. Exchange and acquisition are natural, but not trading for profit. In Book II, by contrast, he sharply attacks Plato's two 'utopias', the Republic and the Laws, and also attacks three historical states reputed to be well-governed - Sparta, Crete, and Carthage.
This volume is well suited to the requirements of students, including those who do not know Greek.
In Book I, he argues vigorously for a political theory based on 'nature'. By nature, man is a 'political animal', one naturally fitted for life in a polis or state. Some people, however, are natural slaves; and women are by nature subordinate to men. Exchange and acquisition are natural, but not trading for profit. In Book II, by contrast, he sharply attacks Plato's two 'utopias', the Republic and the Laws, and also attacks three historical states reputed to be well-governed - Sparta, Crete, and Carthage.
This volume is well suited to the requirements of students, including those who do not know Greek.
Reviews / Votes
Trevor Saunders' volume clearly meets the high standards of the Clarendon series...I found Saunders' translation on the whole excellent...Saunders' commentary is also superb : concise and clear, yet packed with information...His discussion is up to date, with plentiful references to the recent scholarly literature...illuminating and stimulating commentary. This book is a credit to the Clarendon Aristotle series and will prove indispensablefor serious students of Aristotle's Politics./Fred D. Miller/The Journal of the Society for Greek Political Thought Volume 15 Numbers 1 and 2 1998. Clear and accurate translation of a key document in Western political thought, and in the understanding of the workings of political life in the ancient world. * Oxbow Book Reviews * This is a welcome addition to a reputable series. S's translation of the first two books of Aristotle's Politics is in smooth vernacular English, while remaining true to the literal meaning of the Greek text ... The translation given here by S. is especially admirable in that it is clear, consistent, and readable, unlike many recent translations that have tried to capture the almost crabbed style of Aristotle's Greek ... S's commentary is a model of its kind. It is concise, yet informative; covering the major scholarly disputes quite economically, while referring the reader to the best recent discussions of textual and interpretative problems. * John J. Cleary, Classical Review vol.XLVII no.1, 1997 * Each volume in the scrupulously edited series offers literal translations and concise commentaries emphasizing important philosophical issues and holding Aristotle to the same exacting standards that one should expect of a contemporary philosopher ... Trevor Saunders' volume clearly meets the high standards of the Clarendon series ... very accurate and reliable ... Saunders' commentary is also superb: concise and clear, yet packed with information ... Aristotle's dependence on and departure from Plato's politics are nowhere more evident than in Politics I and II; and Saunders frequently puts his extensive knowledge of Plato's Republic, Statesman, and Laws to work in elucidating and evaluating Aristotle's numerous allusions to and criticisms of his former teacher ... This book is a credit to the Clarendon Aristotle series and will prove indispensable for serious students of Aristotle's Politics. * Polis * Trevor Saunders' Clarendon Aristotle edition of Politics I and II includes a short introduction with a discussion of the relation between the two books, a translation which is a revision of S.'s previous version in the Penguin Classics series, and an informative commentary which is a judicious blend of interpretation and criticism, especially in its assessment of Aristotle's treatment of his predecessors, particularly Plato. Allusions to subsequent political writing, in the broadest sense, include both Bagehot and Cornford's Microcosmographia Academica. * Phronesis * A welcome addition to the Clarendon Aristotle series is Trevor Saunders's Aristotle, Politics Books I and II. The translation is a revision of Saunders's earlier revision of T.A. Sinclair's version for Penguin. The commentary is full and helpful, but those familiar with Saunders's work on Plato's Laws will not be surprised to discover that the great strength of this volume is the sections in Book II dealing with comparative political systems. * Greece and Rome *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Oxford University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
306 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-824894-1 (9780198248941)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
12/1995
Clarendon Press
€142.60
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. 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.
From his lessons, the West acquired its scholarly vocabulary, just as issues and strategies for request. Accordingly, his way of thinking has applied an exceptional effect on pretty much every type of information in the West and it keeps on being a subject of contemporary philosophical conversation.