Routledge The Great Ethics of Aristotle

In this follow up to The Eudemian Ethics of Aristotle, Peter L. P. Simpson centres his attention on the basics of Aristotelian moral doctrine as found in the Great Ethics: the definition of happiness, the nature and kind of the virtues, pleasure, and friendship. This work's authenticity is disputed, but Simpson argues that all the evidence favours it. Unlike the Nicomachean and Eudemian Ethics, Aristotle wrote the Great Ethics for a popular audience. It gives us insight less into Aristotle the theoretician than into Aristotle the pedagogue. For this reason, the Great Ethics has distinct advantages as an introduction to Aristotelian ethical thinking: it is simpler and clearer in its argumentation, matters such as the intellectual virtues are made suitably secondary to the practical focus, the moral virtues come through with a pleasing directness, and the work's syllogistic formalism gives it a transparency and accessibility that the other Ethics typically lack. Arius' Epitome, which relies heavily on this work, helps confirm its value and authenticity. Because the Great Ethics is generally neglected by scholars, less has been done to clear up its obscurities or to expose its structure. But to ignore it is to lose another and more instructive way of approaching and appreciating Aristotle's teaching. The translation is prefaced by an analytic outline of the whole, and the several sections of it are prefaced by brief summaries. The commentary supplies fuller descriptions and analyses, sorting out puzzles, removing misunderstandings, and resolving doubts of meaning and intention. This book is a fresh rendition of the work of the preeminent philosopher of all time. Review -The Great Ethics is a mysterious text. Long regarded as spurious and in any case unworthy of philosophical attention, it has fallen into obscurity and neglect, even among Aristotle scholars. Simpson's heroic new translation and commentary provides a formidable case for rethinking received wisdom regarding the Great Ethics. In Simpson's hands, the text comes alive and reveals itself to be a genuine and distinctive philosophical contribution to Aristotelian moral theory.- --Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University -Aristotle could not have a more faithful translator or a more learned commentator on what at times is a difficult text. Simpson is to be commended for rescuing this work from relative obscurity. Students of Aristotle will be grateful for his translation and his compelling analysis.- -- Jude P. Dougherty, The Catholic University of America -This book is invaluable. Simpson's translations are exceptionally lucid and elegant while still faithful to the Greek, and his erudite commentary is illuminating at every turn. He makes a compelling case for studying the Great Ethics closely, and he has changed the way I read Aristotle.- --Mason Marshall, Pepperdine University "The Great Ethics is a mysterious text. Long regarded as spurious and in any case unworthy of philosophical attention, it has fallen into obscurity and neglect, even among Aristotle scholars. Simpson's heroic new translation and commentary provides a formidable case for rethinking received wisdom regarding the Great Ethics. In Simpson's hands, the text comes alive and reveals itself to be a genuine and distinctive philosophical contribution to Aristotelian moral theory." --Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University "Aristotle could not have a more faithful translator or a more learned commentator on what at times is a difficult text. Simpson is to be commended for rescuing this work from relative obscurity. Students of Aristotle will be grateful for his translation and his compelling analysis." -- Jude P. Dougherty, The Catholic University of America "This book is invaluable. Simpson's translations are exceptionally lucid and elegant while still faithful to the Greek, and his erudite commentary is illuminating at every turn. He makes a compelling case for studying the Gre