Oxford University Press - Levels of Argument: Plato and Aristotle

Explore a deep methodological comparison of two foundational works in Western philosophy. In Levels of Argument, Dominic Scott examines the Republic by Plato and the Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle to understand their different approaches to reasoning and justice. This study breaks down the Republic into two distinct paths. The first is the longer route, which seeks maximum precision through the knowledge of the Forms and a formal definition of the Good. The second is the shorter route, which relies on hypotheses, analogies, and empirical observation. Scott explains why Socrates utilizes this shorter method in the Republic, noting that it fits the specific needs and understanding of his audience. By analyzing these different levels of argument, readers gain a clearer perspective on how these ancient philosophers constructed their defenses of justice. This book is an essential resource for students and scholars interested in the history of Western thought and the methodological differences between Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy.