As is his custom, Aristotle first surveys the existing political theories, discusses their strong and weak points, and then provides his own theory, describing the different forms of government, the reason of their existence and the means of their maintenance. The Licence of the Lacedaemonian Women The old mythologer would seem to have been right in uniting Ares and Aphrodite, for all warlike races are prone to the love either […]
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“Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle
Aristotle vs. Plato Having just finished and enjoyed Plato’s complete works, I find this book a bit annoying and uninspiring in comparison. Aristotle seems to take every opportunity to “correct” Plato, when in fact he is only attacking a strawman. His arguments, sometimes self-contradictory, often support and clarify Plato’s ideas, albeit using his own terminology. Aristotle seems to have great difficulty appreciating or understanding Plato’s abstractions (from species to genus, […]
Read more“Epistles” by Plato
“My greatness consists in making myself follow my own instructions.” (Letter II) Wisdom and Power “It is natural for wisdom and great power to come together, and they are for ever pursuing and seeking each other and consorting together. … When men talk about Hiero or about Pausanias the Lacedaemonian they delight to bring in their meeting with Simonides and what he did and said to them; and they are […]
Read more“Lovers” by Plato
What is Philosophy? A. To be well versed in many, if not all, of the arts, by learning what belongs to the understanding rather than the handiwork of each (like an all-around athlete, as opposed to a specialist). B. To distinguish good and evil in our own and others quality, and practice justice and temperance in the governance of oneself, one’s house and the state.
Read more“Hipparchus” by Plato
Who is Lover of Gain? All men are lovers of gain, but the wise discern true value. Socrates suggests that Harmodius and Aristogeiton assassinated Hipparchus, not for honor or freedom from tyranny, but because they were jealous of Hipparchus’ influence over the Athenian youths. When “one of the handsome and well-born youths” left them for Hipparchus, “they were so overcome with the pain of this ‘disqualification’ that they slew Hipparchus”. […]
Read more“Minos” by Plato
What Is Law? Is it some sensation or showing, as when things learnt are learnt by knowledge showing them, or some discovery, as when things discovered are discovered—for instance, the causes of health and sickness by medicine, or the designs of the gods, as the prophets say, by prophecy; for art is surely our discovery of things, is it not? Law is discovery of reality; Lawgivers are “apportioners and shepherds […]
Read more“Epinomis” by Plato
The Importance of Number Of the properties of all the arts, not a single one can remain, but all of them are utterly defective, when once you remove numeration. If you note the divinity of birth, and its mortality, in which awe of the divine must be acknowledged, and real number, it is not anybody who can tell how great is the power which we owe to the accompaniment of […]
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