Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1

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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 185
EAN: 9780691016504
ISBN: 069101650X
Label: Princeton University Press
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 1256
Publication Date: 1971
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Studio: Princeton University Press

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:

The Oxford Translation of Aristotle was originally published in 12 volumes between 1912 and 1954. It is universally recognized as the standard English version of Aristotle. This revised edition contains the substance of the original Translation, slightly emended in light of recent scholarship; three of the original versions have been replaced by new translations; and a new and enlarged selection of Fragments has been added. The aim of the translation remains the same: to make the surviving works of Aristotle readily accessible to English speaking readers.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Review of Oxford's 'Complete Aristotle: Volume I'
I'm pleased that this book is as complete as it claims to be. Between the two volumes, the readers meets with every aspect of Aristotle's thought, including almost one hundred pages of fragments testimonies.

Unfortunately, I also have several complaints...

a) most of these translations are old - early 20th century old - and this doesn't always make it very easy to read them; they are, if you will, 'classic' translations, but I would have preferred to see Oxford hire a new team of translators to assemble and Aristotle fit for the new century

b) there is very, very little commentary - admittedly, here I compare the complete works of Aristotle to the complete works of Plato, published by Hackett. In Hackett's Plato, there are occasional footnotes to aid the reader's understanding of difficult passages. The Oxford Aristotle only notes paragraphs that were excised in the original translations, and, very, very occasional (10-20 times in the entire library) provides more substantial notes. There aren't even endnotes!

c) there are no introductions to give context to the works - again, I compare with Hackett's Plato. It would have been nice to hear the story behind works of disputed authorship, rather than simply placing a * or ** next to the title of the dialogue. It would also serve to consider how each work relates to the rest of Aristotle's corpus

d) the fragments are poorly arranged. I can see how certain fragments might not specifically reference a certain work, but the editors already arrange them according to the works they supposedly reference - what they don't do is formally divide them as such. Instead, they are placed into general categories.

In summary, what I received from my 8-9 months of Oxford's Aristotle was an incomplete experience. I had hoped to see the best scholarship that money could buy, and instead I met with Jonathan Barne's 'hands-off' tendencies. I respect the idealism of leaving a work to speak for himself, but I also deeply appreciate the guidance of those who have read the Philosopher before me.

Would I buy these books again? Likely, no, I would instead go through the hassle of assembling all of Aristotle's work in smaller collections, finding editions of different works that feature introductions, footnotes and newer translations.

d)

Rating:

- Marvelous- It's ALL in here folks! (BOTH VOLUMES)
I studied philosophy in a French speaking Institute in Europe. These two volumes came in very handy. The first question that may come to mind for those shopping for Aristotle is whether it's necessary to purchase the "Complete Works" and not just a volume of Major Works. In fact, it's not necessary- you'll get so much enrichment from even one major work of The Philosopher, especially with the aid of a competent professor. However, the complete works will ensure you that you have everything, and provide a good deal more reading enjoyment (even Aristotle's final will and testament is printed in Vol. II).

Aside from that, the translations contained in these works are considered the best available in English (and perhaps any) language other than the original Greek. To testify to this fact, some of my native French professors would occassionally ask to borrow my volumes to make photocopies of certain passages (or more), telling me that they felt the English translations were far better done than those in their native tounge! (And we know how much the French care for their native tounge!)

All in all, excellent books and money well spent.

Rating:

- a bit of irony
is that, although these volumes contain the absolute worst translations of aristotle available, they're probably the best bet for people who are serious about aristotle and the worst bet for people who are just reading this or that text for a class, personal interest, etc. the reason they're good for people who are serious about aristotle is the very simple reason that it's all there, so if you're scanning your bonitz and bonitz says the definition of some term or another is in one of the writings on animals, you can at least (with a bit of detachment) see what in hell he's talking about (if the greek isn't there) without having to get up! in other words, you've got it all, sister!, which is really the only advantage to be culled from having these books. the margins are just meaty enough to import greek phrases, retranslate sections of text, etc., so it turns out to be a nice reference tool for scholars. why? because it's all there! now, if you're just 'into' aristotle, as i said, don't (for godsakes) get these books. read apostle's translations. sachs is alright, but he can throw you off. of course, you can also get the real cheapies from hackett, and some of them aren't bad (in general, by the way, hackett's the way to go for translations). besides, these things are weighty and difficult to maneuver; they're really for reading at a table, so you can't really tuck up with them, if you see what i mean. another nice thing about these volumes is that they stay open by themselves (no finagling with or breaking the binding)! i'm not joking: aristotle scholars couldn't have a better english-language resource.

Rating:

- Where's Volume 2?
(This is not a review, it's just instruction for those who, like me, had trouble finding Volume 2 or the two-volume set). If you're at the "Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1" page, you can click on "Other Editions: Hardcover" to get to Volume 2. But how do you get to the two-volume set? The easiest way is to do a normal search for books by Aristotle. You will find an entry for "Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1". Neither the second volume nor the two-volume set will appear in the results! Instead, click on "Other Editions: See all (3)". Then you'll get a page listing each volume individually, plus the two-volume set. (I had to give a rating just to post this, so I just gave it a 4 for now.)

Rating:

- for the student of logic and biology
The first volume of Aristotle's complete works will give any Analytical Philosopher a fine felicity. However, if, like myself, you find logic to be a tedious and removed (although worthwhile) activity, you will find the first 314 pages to be, well, an antidote to insomnia (However to note, the medievals considered these logical works to be some of the finest of Aristotle's. There are also some good sayings, such as '...if you can find noone else to argue with, then argue with yourself' in these works). Then, you will reach the Physics, a must read (along with Augustines Confessions (Book 11 in that work I believe) and Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason) of any student who considers the contemplation of time a worthwhile activity (in my own philosophy, I consider the contemplation of time to be that which is most important in Philosophy, mainly because it allows us to realize that 'given enough time everything becomes insignificant' and therefore, what has significance, the 'given' or now, is what should be given priority, rather than the secondary relations to social and bodily pleasures which for the most part, dominate our lives, and make the enjoyment of the given, life itself, forgotten). After the Physics, there are 13 smaller works that deal with topics such as the heavens, memory, dreams and youth and old age. These begin to become a precursor for Aristotle's zoological works 'History of Animals', 'Parts of Animals', 'Movement of Animals', 'Progression of Animals' and 'Generation of Animals'. These works are interesting mainly from a historical perspective (hearing Aristotle talk about the flatulence of elephants is intriguing to say the least). Then, you will come to works which many believe to be authentically Aristotle's, 'On Colours', 'On Things Heard' and 'Physiognomics'. With that ends volume one of Aristotle's Complete Works. For the reader who is not disciplined in Philosophy, I would not recommend diving into Aristotle without first finding some gear (i.e., previous philosophical experience) otherwise you will find these Aristotlean waters to be cold and uninviting. You may want to pick up an introductory title to Philosophy, such as The Story of Philosophy, then read Plato's complete works, and then come to this book, and then volume 2 (which should be read by every man, woman and child on this earth.)

Also recommended: Toilet: The Novel by Michael Szymczyk. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. The Collected Dialouges of Plato. ... Read More