A Philosophical Commentary on the Politics of Aristotle / Edition 1

by Peter L. Phillips Simpson

Overview

The Politics, Aristotle's classic work on the nature of political community, has been a touchstone of Western debates about society and government. In this volume, Peter Simpson presents a complete philosophical commentary on the Politics, an analysis of the logical structure of the entire text and each of its constitutive arguments and conclusions. Unlike other contemporary works on the Politics, Simpson's philosophical commentary is not, save incidentally, a discussion of philological and historical questions, a speculative elaboration of Aristotle's arguments, or a comparison of the philosopher's ideas with those of other ancient and modern theorists. Such treatments, argues Simpson, must be grounded in a thorough understanding of the philosophical content of the work—a point that underscores the need for this thorough and accurate analysis. Keyed to the ancient Greek text as well as to Simpson's own innovative translation of it (UNC Press, 1997), this book will stand as a valuable commentary on the philosophical argument in the Politics and will serve as a sound basis for future study of Aristotle's political thought.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807853573
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	02/25/2002
Edition description:	1
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.15(d)

About the Author

Peter L. Phillips Simpson is professor of philosophy and classics at the Graduate Center and the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. His books include a translation of Aristotle's Politics, also published by The University of North Carolina Press.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The entire edition is marked by a dashing boldness of judgment, and by confidence of tone and argumentation.—Polis

The commentary has many attractive features for the reader of Aristotle. All Greek is transliterated, and Bekker numbers are provided for easy cross-reference. Not least, it is written in clear and accessible prose. No reader of Aristotle's Politics can ignore this important work.—Classical World

A 'must read' for scholars of the Politics.—Choice

This is a valuable commentary on Aristotle's Politics. It is a companion to Peter Simpson's very fine translation, which is unique in following the books of the Politics in what W. L. Newman and other influential scholars regarded as the correct order. . . . This clearly written handbook sheds light on difficult passages and directs readers to important recent scholarship.—Fred D. Miller Jr., Bowling Green State University

Peter Simpson's philosophical commentary on Aristotle's Politics is a splendid achievement. . . . Scholars will find it indispensable. It will be the standard work on the subject for many years to come, and it will serve as the starting point for all future disputes regarding Aristotle's argument in the book. . . . If Peter Simpson's translation can be said to make Aristotle's Politics genuinely accessible to English-speaking students for the first time, his commentary can be said to make that same book visible to students and scholars for the first time as a philosophical work deserving the attention that has been lavished on the Nicomachean Ethics and the other products of Aristotle's pen.—Paul A. Rahe, University of Tulsa

Editorial Reviews

A 'must read' for scholars of the "Politics". ("Choice")

A 'must read' for scholars of the "Politics," ("Choice")

A 'must read' for scholars of the "Politics." ("Choice")

No reader of Aristotle's "Politics" can ignore this important work. ("Classical World")

The entire edition is marked by a dashing boldness of judgment, and by confidence of tone and argumentation. ("Polis")

A 'must read' for scholars of the "Politics. ("Choice)

From the Publisher

No reader of Aristotle's Politics can ignore this important work.

Classical World

The entire edition is marked by a dashing boldness of judgment, and by confidence of tone and argumentation.

Polis

A 'must read' for scholars of the Politics.

Choice