Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction

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.

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.

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.

For someone who is looking for the spark to engage them in Aristotle's thought, or someone who just wants to know a bit about Aristotle, this would be a good choice. There are a couple other really good introductions as well, one is 'Aristotle the Philosopher' by J.L Ackrill, which is a bit more detailed, another is 'Aristotle' by Sir David Ross which is a quite a bit more in depth. Both of these are good as well.

I have tried to approach Aristotle in two ways; reading his works directly, or reading criticisms or synopses of them. I had been stymied in both approaches. The original texts are very opaque and difficult to follow, and many of the expositors assume a greater knowledge than a novice will have. This book solves the problem. Written by an emminent Aristotelian scholar, it puts in plain, understandable language the basics of Aristotles philosophy. Barnes tries to give a unified presentation of Aristotle, so he chooses the original works by the philosopher to follow in a sequence which builds to a unified whole. A great place to start Aristotle for the beginner.