Aristotle on the Uses of Contemplation

Synopsis

Traditionally, Aristotle is held to believe that philosophical contemplation is valuable for its own sake, but ultimately useless.

In this volume, Matthew D. Walker offers a fresh, systematic account of Aristotle's views on contemplation's place in the human good. The book situates Aristotle's views against the background of his wider philosophy, and examines the complete range of available textual evidence (including neglected passages from Aristotle's Protrepticus). On this basis, Walker argues that contemplation also benefits humans as perishable living organisms by actively guiding human life activity, including human self-maintenance. Aristotle's views on contemplation's place in the human good thus cohere with his broader thinking about how living organisms live well.

A novel exploration of Aristotle's views on theory and practice, this volume will interest scholars and students of both ancient Greek ethics and natural philosophy. It will also appeal to those working in other disciplines including classics, ethics, and political theory.

Links Aristotle's views on the ethical benefits of contemplation with his wider scientific philosophy about living organisms.

Takes account of recent developments and textual discoveries in Aristotelian studies, providing an up-to-date perspective on key issues.

Presents fresh interpretations of Aristotle's theoretical and practical corpus, making this book important for those working on ethics, political theory, classics and religious studies.

Copyright:

2018

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9781108369206

Related ISBNs:

9781108421102, 9781108421102

Publisher:

Cambridge University Press

Date of Addition:

06/15/18

Copyrighted By:

Matthew D. Walker

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Philosophy

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.