Edward Elgar Publishing Aristotle’s Economics: Ethics and Exchange

Aristotle’s Economics is a thoughtful and comprehensive account of Aristotle's intellectual system. Drawing upon all of his surviving writings, this book deftly illustrates how Aristotle considered economics to be just one of many areas which make up the social and political whole. David Reisman offers an in-depth and accessible analysis of Aristotle’s theories, adeptly comparing them to the work of his contemporaries. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this book demonstrates how Aristotle embedded his economics in a wider synthesis that extends from scientific method to ethics, law and the spectrum of constitutions. Aristotle’s economics cannot be separated from his ideas on the good society, the pragmatic state and the sensible guidance of far-sighted intellectuals. Aristotle’s Economics shows that Aristotle put morals before things. His lasting message was that material goods should only be seen as the means to a fruitful and varied life rather than as life’s end and goal. This thought-provoking study will be of interest to students, academics and researchers in economic thought and political economy. Aristotle linked his economics to political and social theory. This book will appeal to readers who believe that the answers to many of our present-day problems lie in the history of ideas and the work of Plato’s most distinguished disciple.