‘Aristotle (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Jonathan Barnes is a little commentary to Aristotle and his Philosophy. 20 chapters of this book introduces Aristotle’s Philosophy, especially his thinking about science, knowledge, reality and (what is, aim of) Philosophy from ‘Physics’ and ‘Metaphysics’. This book consists of metaphysical abstract but detailed argument of them, such as his theories and thinkings of Philosophy (today’s total science), knowledge, logic, being, creature, causes, change, world, psuchê (soul), teleology, virtue, happiness and government. The first half of this book attentions comparison Aristotle’s thought about knowledge, science and Philosophy to Plato’s. Author emphasises Aristotle’s characteristic of philosopher-scientist differ from literary and poetic characteristic of Plato.
Barnes describe from objective and neutral viewpoint to Aristotle. He does not criticise and admire Aristotle’s Philosophy, and introduces Aristotle’s faults and differences to modern science. And he concluded ‘If we want to learn biology or logic, we no longer turn to Aristotle’s treatises: they are now of historical only. The same is not true of Aristotle’s more philosophical writings. The essays in the Physics, the Metaphysics, and the Ethics are less sure, less perfect, less scientific than the logic and the biology; but they are, paradoxically, more alive’, ‘But it an also be read as a contribution to a contemporary debate – or rather, to an eternal debate, Contemporary philosophers read Aristotle in this fashion, treating him as a brilliant colleague’.
The metaphysical and ontological commentary of this book is profound and packed, but biographical description and commentary of various genres of Aristotle’s Philosophy is very short. I recommend this book as the second or third introduction to Aristotle, especially who want to know Aristotle’s metaphysics and his thinking of what are knowledge, science and Philosophy.
Aristotle (A Very Short Introduction)
Jonathan Barnes
Oxford University Press, Oxford, January 18 2001
176 pages £ 6.99 $ 9.95
ISBN: 978-0-192-85408-7
Contents:
List of Illustrations
List of Maps
1. The Man and His Works
2. A Public Figure
3. Zoological Researchers
4. Collecting Facts
5. The Philosophical Background
6. The Structure of the Science
7. Logic
8. Knowledge
9. Ideal and Achievement
10. Reality
11. Change
12. Causes
13. Empiricism
14. Aristotle’s World-Picture
15. Psychology
16. Evidence and Theory
17. Teleology
18. Practical Philosophy
19. The Arts
20. Afterlige
References
Chronological Table
Further Reading
Index
Related Posts and Pages
‘Philosophy (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Edward Craig, Oxford University Press
‘Ancient Philosophy (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Julia Annas, Oxford University Press
‘Continental Philosophy (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Simon Critchley, Oxford University Press
‘Plato (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Julia Annas, Oxford University Press
‘Descartes (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Tom Sorell, Oxford University Press
‘Locke (A Very Short Introduction)’ by John Dunn, Oxford University Press
‘Marx (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Peter Singer, Oxford University Press
‘Barthes (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Jonathan Culler
‘The Meaning of Life (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Terry Eagleton, Oxford University Press
‘Love (A Very Short Introduction)’ by Ronald de Sousa, Oxford University Press